No, although the picture above is one of a polar bear that is probably in the Antarctic, it’s just an analogy of what I want to discuss. I was hoping it would be an attention grabber.
Having your left hand being your dominate one can be a blessing and a curse all rolled up into one. In the world as it is usually perceived, many who are lefties, feel gypped because of the myths and the inconveniences that go with it. The right handers are in the majority, and that’s just the way it is.
A Few of the More Ridiculous Myths
- Left-handed people are clumsy.: If a person has problems learning how to dance, it is said that he has ‘two left feet’. In actuality, lefties are relatively graceful. Some of the most famous in sports are left handed.
- The use of the left hand for eating is immoral and unholy.: The western part of the world doesn’t believe this. However, you won’t see me going to the Middle East any time soon. The only hand I have that works is my left hand. I could, maybe, be stoned for being unholy.
- In physical fights or battles, it will be the lefty who loses.: Surely you’ve heard of the left hook. A right hander will be counted out with this so easily in the boxing ring. Lefties have the element of surprise.
Researchers say that lefties don’t have any more difficulty learning to write than righties. As a lefty myself, I would have to say this isn’t entirely true. Although printing comes just as easy to us, because of the right slant of cursive, learning and performing the task of writing is frustrating. With the right slant, we can’t pull the pen along the paper. We must push it, curve the left hand up over so that the pen will be pulled, or write making the slant go to the left. Any way you look at it, it takes longer to write anything down and the writing hand gets tired sooner. None of it feels exactly correct.
A Few Undesirable Facts
Many tools, whether they have been used throughout history or are modern, are designed for the right handed person. Recently I have seen more of them being developed for either hand or a second tool for the lefty being of equal use.
There are two tools that are still for righties that are used in every-day life, that I wish someone would make more available for lefties. One is the scissors. Although ones are made for lefties, just try to find the store where they can be bought. Thank God someone created the paper cutter. The second one is the can opener. I have yet to even hear of one that is made for those of us who are left handed.
More often than not, the left hander is still forced to live his/her life as a right hander. Obviously this is true in the Middle East, but this discipline dished out by parents and teachers is still seen on all continents of this planet.
A Few Perks Being Left Handed
A little science lesson first, although many of you know this stuff already.
The left side of the brain controls the right side of the body, while the right side controls the left. (Does this mean that only lefties are in their right mind?
)
The left side of the brain is where all that you need to be logical is kept. This doesn’t necessarily mean that right handers are better at anything academic, but I have a strong suspicion that right handers may be better in business dealings. Even with this in mind, does this mean that lefties are more knowledgeable about matters concerning emotions?
The right side of the brain is where all emotions and how you use and control them are kept. Those of us who are lefties have a stronger sense of culture, empathy, and are more likely to understand what the ‘big picture’ is in a situation.
End of lesson and on to the perks.
Lefties are higher achievers.: The intuition of a lefty is stronger that in a rightie. Answers are arrived at sooner. The brain of a lefty is “structured to widen his/her abilities, an attribute that is genetic, and on account of the enhanced governing of ‘language centers’ within the brain.”(Buzzle)
For reasons I can’t seem to locate, lefties are natural storytellers and creative writers.: I found this little tidbit at Buzzle as well. I can tell, however, you that as a lefty, I love writing despite the fact that the act of actually writing long-hand is frustrating. I love being, or at least trying to be creative.
A Few Famous People Who are Lefties
- Shirley MacLain
- Paul McCartney
- Paul Williams
- Albert Einstein
- Bill Clinton
- Leonardo Da Vinci
- Julius Caesar
- Michelangelo
- Whoopi Goldberg
- Nicole Kidman
Stuff at the End
Personally, I think being left handed has made me a stronger person psychologically. In this day and age, that is a huge plus.
Bring on the comments! I would love to have this be a rip-roaring discussion.
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1st image: Evil Twin21401 || 2nd image: Brian Josefowicz
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2013/02/11 at 5:29 pm
My youngest daughter is left handed…..and she is a star.
be good to yourself
David
2013/02/12 at 5:51 pm
David, I think most daughters are stars to their fathers. That’s just the way it is.
I hope the weather isn’t too hot in your part of the world. I understand that it can become a little miserable there.
2013/02/12 at 11:15 am
Oh! I think lefties are so cool! I love how they write, there’s a certain curve to the hand/arm that makes it more pretty in stance
My grandmother was a lefty, but back in those days the teachers/nuns would whack her hand with a ruler until she learned how to write with her right hand. She never forgot those memories!
For me, I’m a right hand writer, but a south paw signer. I learned how to do sign language from a guy I dated back in college years. He had no hearing issues, but both of his parents were deaf. He taught me sign language, but it wasn’t until I was signing with his parents that we realized what I did. His dad signed back, “She’s a south paw.” I’d never heard of the saying before
2013/02/12 at 5:48 pm
Thanks for the compliment, Aleta. My handwriting is just legible when I’m in a hurry. But when I write letters, I become very precise with my letters and how they look. I don’t mind being a lefty. I just wish there were more utensils around that would work for me.
personal note: I hope you blood pressure has gone down a little. I also hope little Gregory is kicking away.
2013/02/12 at 11:25 am
I liked this post. My 4 year old grand-daughter is left handed and we were just working on writing her name on a valentines card. It did seem extra complicated.
2013/02/12 at 5:54 pm
Hi Linda
She’ll get the hang on it. Try sitting across from her and let her mimic you that way.