10-06-2009, 04:22 PM
This type of topic has been a constant source of pondering for me. How do you create an image for yourself that does not give credence to the mask society encourages you to wear, but doesn’t create something offensive that would drive others away, either? At one point I simply didn’t care what anyone thought of me. In fact, I was almost eager to provoke their anger. If they wouldn’t accept me for who I was, I wanted to shock them and throw their misinformed stereotypes in their face. But lately I’ve learned that sometimes example is the only way to teach people. When people look at me I don’t want them to see me as a dangerous rebel who could fly off the handle at any moment. I want them to find me approachable, confident in my differences but not using them as a source of spite. It is something I constantly have to work at and I often slip up in this area. Thanks for trying to get to the bottom of this issue!