A Man Apart (OT)
For most of my adult life I have felt like I was a man apart, different from most other men and not in a good way. I guess being an empathetic, perceptive guy does not square very well with looking like a bit of a brute, at least for most people. It occurred to me recently that I have literally spent decades looking at myself in a negative way through the eyes and the collective social filters of those other people and not through my own eyes. With help and a lot of support I have been able to do that, to see myself, who I really am, more clearly and I have learned to like what I see…..well, most of the time. I still struggle with crippling self-doubt sometimes, when I wonder why anyone would find me to be acceptable, emotionally or physically, but those experiences have thankfully become less debilitating and of shorter duration. Yes, I still feel like I am a man apart, different, perhaps even unique ……and, surprisingly, I’m proud of it.
RP
Stand tall and love your positive attributes and work on your perceived shortcomings. Remember, even Rome wasn't built in a day.
Often people work on changing and then measuring themselves up against other people. The person they see in the mirror does not reflect what they want to see. I think we all are trying so hard to be something we are not and forget to develop and evolve ourselves to our own being. See the person in the mirror and try to be the best that person can be with all your negative and positive sides.
Meaning of life is to live it, not chase it. As far as I can tell you are a man apart because you enjoy the little things that life has to offer in that moment, you feel the pain and are not numb – that is what life is all about. Who wants to be like everyone else anyway!
My dad used to ask me - who is “everyone else?" when I wanted to do something my parents did not like or approve of and I was trying to make a point or argue.
Be you and be proud.
