Your eyes must not determine what you see…..

This is how my husband found me this morning….

The Grumpy Elf

I ignored his remark that “it’s the most understated I’ve looked in ages’.

With bells on my shoes and a song in my heart I was alas a Grumpy Elf. Why?  Well if you’re sitting comfortably then I’ll begin.

A big part of the work I do is to challenge inequality in society.  As an adviser I work with some of the most disadvantaged members of our Highland communities.  Today our project had a stall at a Christmas Bazaar held in one of the community centres.  I was there to promote our advice service and particularly to raise awareness about fuel poverty.  - a sad reality.  I meet people every day who live on benefits or who are elderly or have a disability – sometimes all three – who have to make the tough choice whether to eat or to heat their home.

So, as I hauled myself out of bed this morning I fumbled for my slippers and pulled on my dressing gown.  Our home was warm and I could have a hot shower whenever I wanted. There was food in the fridge for breakfast.  Outwardly I was warm and happy, but inside I was grumpy and annoyed that so many others are wakening to very different situations in homes across Scotland.

So today I was dressed as a funny elf, but, as the title of this post suggests, ‘your eyes must not determine what you see’ because inside I was a grumpy elf – determined to raise awareness that there are things that can be done, even on a small level. By popping in to our project, we can check the people are receiving the right level of benefit and liaise with fuel providers to ensure they are getting the discount – social tariff – they are entitled to. OK it’s not going to change the world but it will impact on the level of fuel poverty experienced by many.

I had a fantastic day, hell we all need a bit of changing the world – even in a small way.  So having returned I sit here with a cup of coffee and a full appointment book for next week.

So I’ve chatted with so many people this morning I now have virtually no voice left.  I’ve danced with the Brownies, I’ve judged competitions and I’ve eaten far too many free mince pies.  I’ve also chatted with some of the local councillors about why I’m so grumpy Of course there have got to be some perks for grumpy elves and this one was no exception……..I got to sit on Santa’s knee!

The book sitting beside my computer as I write this is Mary Anne Radmacher’s Lean into Your Life. The cover says’ “start each day as if it were on purpose’ – so I did – a Grumpy Elf with a purpose. I might not have changed the world, but hell do I feel good this afternoon.

Off now to fight with the staff at the local Vodaphone shop about the upgrade of my phone. Might just keep the costume on for that