Views on differences

Various reactions to a "mentally ill" acting "weird" on the street.

My very good friend in Innsbruck

A few days ago I encountered a person on the street that was making unusual movements. He was dancing to a music no one could hear (he had no earphones as well). He was also singing and walking happily, swinging his arms from left to right. Going left and right on the sidewalk, not caring so much about others. It was a very sunny and quiet moment in the day.

This situation brought me to a certain thought: how people would have radically different opinions and reactions about it.

1. The first category of people we all think about are probably also the loudest. The criticizers. Most likely they would think, or even say out loud, 'he looks so stupid and weird', something on those lines. They totally reject their existence.

2. Others might react in an opposite way, more empathic. The pity-ers. Expressing their pity very openly as 'OMG poor guy, his life must be so hard because of those haters (the criticizers)'. To them their most important feature is being mentally ill.

3. Some people might also react in a very passive manner. The don't-carers. This man would be 'doing his life, whatever, he's like anybody else to me, he doesn't need my attention'. They would leave him alone, not paying interest to him.

4. Although all those previous reactions are understandable, my view on this situation is mostly admiring him. He doesn't feel this constant pressure of society that makes most of us react a certain way without any ulterior motive. If it's a beautiful day, he will be dancing in the sun, feeling the warmth on his skin. He seems to enjoy this moment so much and he seems so free. I truly envy him having this freedom. Maybe I'm having very romantic thoughts. But acknowledging his differences and embrace them is the best we can learn from him.

Dancing through life, freely, without feeling society's pressure to "act normal", it's definitely a life goal

Do you agree with me? Have I said something you think as wrong? Let me know in the comments.