What are we all really looking for in our lives? Are we really looking for a way to
fit in or are we looking for ways to be accepted as we are.

I know we all ask ourselves this question. The answer is much trickier. I have never
been one to follow the crowd. I never did something just because it was cool
to do at the time.

I have watched young children insult one another to get a laugh out of the
other kids. But, that not only hurts the target it also hurts the person
being insulting. I am a strong believer that what you do comes back on
you. Usually, in ways you do not expect.

Teenagers try so hard to fit in. They all have cliques. The biggest problem with
that is the illusion they project is not always the person they are. If they do not
follow a certain trend they are looked down upon, or feel they would be.
I am glad when I see someone who does not follow the crowd and thinks
for themselves.

It is hard enough to grow up without trying to be something you are not.

I will not say that I hold myself above others. I just always try do things that
are true to me. I know I have to live with the consequences of actions I take
Yet, these days some people try so hard to slough actions on to other people or
situations.

For example; I grew up in the 1980’s I did not do drugs or drink. I get very
annoyed when people wonder if I did because they knew people did them.
I have always been anti-drug. I watched people ruin their lives and the
lives of those around them. It made me very sad. Yet, I did not dislike the
people I disliked the disease.

I was always considered a goody two shoes. Sometimes, I wondered if I
was too nice about things. Yet, I don’t think so. Because I have my
own beliefs just like everyone else. I just don’t tell people how to
live their lives, I have no right to judge.

I always wanted to be accepted for who and what I am, not what other
people expected me to be. If you live your life trying to please every
person around you, you actually do not please anybody, including
yourself.

I’ve never expected to be liked by everyone, nor be popular. I just wanted to
be accepted as I was. Be myself. That was sometimes harder than I realized.
It is very easy for people to misunderstand situations.

I am not a teenager anymore, yet, I remember what it was like to be one.
I have grown up yet I still see around me people trying to be something they
are not in order to be accepted. I think that is very sad. I am not sure if it is
todays society, or human nature that makes us try so hard to fit into
the ‘norm’.