You Don't Fight Monsters By Becoming One.

"Have self-respect and treat others as you hope to be treated" should be a commandment written on a stone tablet somewhere. How will others respect you if you don't respect yourself?

" The band were ******* **** and i'm not having a nice time ". Alex's lyrics are pure class....lol !

I don't remember where I read the amazing phrase "be yourself, the others are already taken"

What really irritates me is that I went out with two friends a few weeks ago and although we were drinking, I know that H meant what she said about me being her #2 best friend next to L. L happened to be sitting not far from us (definitely within earshot) and H was going on and on about how much she loved me and that next to L, I was her best friend. What really grinds my chain is that at one time L, H, and I were all very good friends. L happens to be my cousin but she is not a good person and has done us both wrong (H and me) on several occasions. For this reason I do not hang out with L on a regular basis anymore, if I run into her, fine. If we make contact over a family matter, fine. I love her but I don't want to be associated with her. When she and H were fighting a few years ago, she FORBADE me from talking to H. I told her to go to hell, that she doesn't choose my friends, that I knew she was lying about H, and that her beef was not my beef and that she can fight her own battles without involving me. Since then, they've obviously made up (and had more falling-outs) but H still seems to consider her a better friend than I. Weird, right? L lies her face off, uses people, manipulates people, etc on a regular basis. If we were alike in that regard, I would completely understand but we're not. I'm honest, caring, defend integrity, and have never behaved in an underhanded way to anyone. This is not an isolated case. It seems as though people would rather be with a lying manipulator because they distrust an honest person more because they can't figure out their angle. I know you think this L person must have something going for her that I don't but you couldn't be more wrong, believe me! She's dumb as a rock, controlling, conceited (only she knows why!), and a lazy piece of crap that's never done anything with her life but try to "beat the system" if you know what I mean. She's a hypocritical holy-roller that is by far the poorest excuse of a Christian as anyone has ever seen! She's a horrible mother (despite the 5 abortions she's had that I know of) but is quick to criticize anyone about anything. She's been arrested for aggravated battery so many times that the last time the court said that if they see her again she's going to prison for a LONG time. She's been convicted of welfare fraud and claims kids and jobs she doesn't have on her taxes every year (she does work occasionally under the table though). She's borrowed money under completely false pretenses and then horse-laughs when you catch her lying about it (no, she doesn't ever pay anyone back). She has three kids by three different fathers and has never been married. She was openly gay for over ten years and now she's anti-gay, anti-abortion, etc. for her religion, of course! Oh, was she recently saved? Uh, no, she's been spewing that religious crap since she was 15 years old (25 years ago, now she's 40). She drinks, she smokes (so do I, that's not the point), she does whatever the hell she wants, which is fine with me. I don't judge (sure sounds like it!), I'm just mentioning the things that most people would not find very "Christian-like". I am not religious. I do not try to convert people or tell them what I think they're doing wrong. I don't care who's gay, I'm not, so what? Who's freakin' business is it? I've never had an abortion (I don't believe in that but I've never been in a predicament that I ever needed to consider it, I believe a woman should have the right to choose). I've two kids, both by my second husband (now divorced). Again, not judging, just sayin', this person is taking the moral high ground against me or anyone? I don't understand what people see in her, she's a nightmare that is only waiting for the next chance to use you and EVERYONE knows it. Why are they okay with that? Personally, I'm not that close to H anyway so I don't really care that I'm her best friend or not (it never occurred to me that I was anywhere near the top, as I said, we aren't close), it just annoys me that she considers L a better friend than me. No, it isn't a competitive thing, I just don't understand. Anyone?

well said!!

How well spoken, it is so easy to play into the desires of others sometimes and stay true to ourselves!!! Thank you for the reminder.



Steven

Well, that's easy.

I like your sentiment. I wish I found it easier to be consistent in social situations but it's wierd because different people bring out different sides of myself. Like if I'm comfortable I find I can relax and tap into my sense if humor but if I'm not i can be a stammering idiot. I hope one day soon to have the confidence to be my true, easy going self all the time like you.

I can relate to this. I was told for years that I was mistreated by others because they were jealous or insecure. Now I just feel like I am cursed. If I had to rewrite this statement I would say: "I would rather be myself and surrounded by people that like and appreciate me." Unfortunately, at times, this seems impossible. Which is why most of us are on this site I suppose.

Atta girl Kat ; }

Great thoughts

*STANDING OVATION* I think there is a lot more beauty in a person being who they are and NOT who they think others want to see...

The easiest thing to be is yourself. My dear despite what anyone says you are yourself. And it is all you can ever be.... there are not many museum drones who are karate enthusiasts. So you are unique. And that is how you will always be.

*applauds*