Writing allows the author to express thoughts they might otherwise keep bridled, fearing ridicule or admonition if they dared speak their mind.As an introvert, this writer sought acceptance from others through the written word.I’ve felt as though an outcast, someone on the outside looking in throughout my life.Most often if I tried to fit in it came across as though I was attempting to compete with those I admired, especially if whatever I did appeared to make me look as if equal to or superior to the individual I held in high esteem.Even though I never felt I was good enough to amount to much of anything, others at times saw it differently; they saw me as smug, cold, and even arrogant, when in reality nothing could be further from the truth.Even though it is said that imitation is the highest form of compliment, most see it as an offense and more in line with an effort to compete.It took a long time for the realization to occur to me that the individual harboring such animosity might be fighting their own battles of self worth.After all, what we see on the outside isn’t necessarily the case, especially when we aren’t privy to wearing their shoes or seeing from the other individual’s eyes.The mind’s eye is a strange thing when it sees the world askance, things might appear cockeyed even!Like seeing ghouls in the shadows where none exist.
I recognize what I perceive to be the meaning in this declaration. Having been the "Quiet One" through my youth especially, in part because I felt that most of what I did would never measure up, due to my fathers influence. I did not come to expressing myself until later in life either, and then mainly in the written words on paper or drawn images in different media. let the false ghouls be their own worst enemy and rejoice in the trueness to yourself.
While those like you who have felt inferior for one reason or another have always existed and some have written best-selling accounts, it is only recently that efforts to allow diversity have allowed these segments of society, so often neglected, abused and even bullied from ignorance to come forward and claim their part of society. While there is extreme and sometimes, very cruel backlash, the trend is towards acceptance.
You reminded me of my cousin. She is a twin and was dominated by her outgoing twin brother. As result, she has always been very shy. A receding jaw that she got corrected after college helped, but she still, even though receiving a degree in early childhood education, became a nanny, and then took care of her three children and others at home.
Two of my girlfriends, one black and one Asian, both have told me that my cousin is very arrogant and racist. I don't think so, because, while she is not tall, she married an outspoken, dominant young man who is a "short" person by his family. But I find that his brashness is a compensation for being bullied when he was younger. Having grown to be the tallest in his family, that's the way he holds his own among the people he works with in technical maintenance. So, I believe my girlfriends misread my cousin's shyness for arrogance like you have been misread. I hope that I understand as well.
"The Great Teen Fruit War, A 1960 Novel" involves conflict between the Blues (sons of blueberry farmers) and the Reds (sons of peach growers) in a southern New Jersey agricultural community.
Admiral Robert Sheppard and his starship, the Phoenix, are back for their latest interplanetary adventure. Mysteries, new alien civilizations, and danger await the intrepid Star Knight and his loyal allies.
