Life can be tough when you’re left handed

I visited the Escher exhibition at Somerset House yesterday. The website of the Foundation he established explains that 'he was a boy who struggled with school, loved nature, and only discovered late in life where his true talent lay.'

From his art you quickly see that he was a man who looked beyond the obvious, to challenge our senses with images that distort the world as we know it. On one of the walls of the show are the words: ‘Only those who attempt the absurd, will achieve the impossible,’ Which of course is exactly what he did.

But for the defining moment of the day was seeing a video of him at work. He was focused and industrious and he was also left handed. Over the years I have always found the most interesting people in any meeting are those who like me, are left handed.

This is partly because I think our brains are wired differently, and partly because in every aspect of our lives, we are reminded that the world is designed for right handed people. For example I bought a hand crafted leather belt the other day, and when it arrived the makers stamp was upside down. I had forgotten to explain when I ordered it that I am left handed!

Like Escher, I did badly at school and only later in life discovered that my calling is to be a non-fiction author, helping people see their world a little differently. Perhaps I should start a campaign to win equal rights for left handed people!