Writing about how people's perceptions creeped me out was beginning to make me feel creepy about myself!
But, I'm over that... It's a new year and my bday just passed so here we go.
I'm another year older and folks have yet to change.
They still feel like they can say what comes to the edges of their lips without pause. Most times, they feel the things they say are complimentary. I think not. I'd rather for my appearance to not be a factor to even compliment (however back-handed they may become). "Wow, your hands are so smalllll. That's crazy!"
This issue of perception is so important to us. We use it to progress or hinder/help someone else's life progression based on it, most times without being consciously aware (like when once in a while someone will come up to me talking with their waists bent, as if I wouldn't be able to hear them).
Recently, a very close friend of mine got let go from her job which she held for almost five years. She went by year after year with no promotion and very little praise. When she would stand up for herself -- she had an attitude problem. This is not what ended her time there; a rumored respective from a parent is what did her in (subsequently, she is unable to gain any unemployment benefits since she "violated company protocol"). I have a very deep-seeded feeling that if she were of a different aesthetic makeup (not as svelte nor dark skinned), she would have faired (no pun intended) a tad bit better. She would have been taken more seriously, instead of being threatened with write-ups for her attitude when attempting so stand up for hers.
This is yet another reason I say there needs to be a stronger sense of self and sense of those outside. Life is indeed a game of chess. Everyone plays, but not all win the game.
