The more real you get ...

... the more unreal it gets. There are so few people in this world that are who they say they are. For years, I allowed someone in, very close, only to find they were a proverbial 'wolf in sheep's clothing'. Now, having lived those those lessons out, I can easily see another person that is (unfortunately) folded up into my current life in an unavoidable way.

What makes it so appealing to people to look their noses down at another? Why is it so easy for them to make snap judgements about my life, my decisions and my path? I have been accused of being everything from an uptight bitch to a hippy --- so really, the only thing I can do is laugh in the faces of those that think they 'know' me. I try to live with integrity, by a moral code, and as a genuinely good person. Often, it gets me nowhere ... and that's ok. I don't do it for anyone but me. I do get frustrated from time to time, when I come in contact yet again with the disingenuous likes of others.

For an outgoing person, I'm almost ridiculously private. Sure, there are things I'd share with anyone ... while things that others would share over the water cooler wouldn't dare part from my lips on such a casual basis. I know the origins of my private nature, and to stick with it - I'll refrain from elaborating. Those who know, understand. Those who don't, may not. The reasons I continue to keep me-to-me ties back to the former wolves, or sheep (depending on when you see them).

Being burned hasn't made me bitter, but it has made me wiser ... and more patient. Wiser and more patient to the negatives in the world around me. A few acquaintances have floated in and out of my life recently, which in some ways made me sad --- but also made me realize how much I love the truly awesome people in my life. Since ridding my life of the 'wolf' a few years back, my life has been unequivocally better. I highly recommend taking stock in the positives and negatives in your life --- the people you surround yourself with are an important factor in making yourself a better person. As for the one that isn't leaving, I know how to better deal with it.

acquire the trick

You must acquire the trick of ignoring those who do not like you.
In my experience, those who do not like you fall into two categories:
The Stupid and The Envious.
The Stupid will like you in 5 years time.
The Envious, never.

The Libertine

Shampoo Blanket

We will complain about the price of gas. The length of the line we are standing in. The life test we did not score as high on as we would have liked. The annoyance of a long work day. Then, occasionally, a reality check will come along and knock us back into place. We will pick ourselves up, get back on track, and eventually fall into the same, false sense of security we were wrapped in before. Rinse. Repeat. Or ... is it?