Observation of the day

"Before I can be more than what I am I must first know what I am."

I strive to be more than that which I've been handed. Not because what I've been handed is not good, but because I want to better myself and not fall under to the ways of thinking of my upbringing, simply because they are all I know. I want to learn, experience, and truly know for myself that the ideals and practices that I call mine are mine because they ARE mine, not because my parents or anyone else gave them to me. I refuse to be a common "Sheep" and follow the rest of the herd blindly.

I am not bitter in this quest. Sometimes others in my life may have become bitter as they realize I will stand up and be my own person, and not bend to their will (such as my father, and my ex), but this will not stop me. I will not be hateful, mean, or vengeful against people such as these. It really pains me to see youth react to this same situation in such ways. They become rude, crude, and just plain selfish. I am thankful that I did not boldly make this move during my youth, but instead have slowly developed my ideals and have meekly let them be known throughout my life as I have grown up. It may have delayed the inevitable in doing what we all must do, standing up and facing our parents when/if they don't like the way we do something. But maybe at least it gave us the chance to bond better than we could have under other circumstances, and it gave them time to accept changes as I have grown up.

I tried to be as gentle with them in this process as possible and they have chosen not to grow, change, or accept yet, but it's not my fault if they don't and I refuse to be held down by it. I now am the better person for learning, understanding, changing, and doing what is best for me. Sadly, you can offer this idea to others but you can't force them to accept it.
They'll get there eventually. They always do.