14 thoughts on “When you’re different…

  1. Paulann,
    I hear what you are saying and I agree that is all we see.

    We are the center of our universe and we want to fit in for the purpose of safety, belonging and love. It is how we survived since early humans lived on the Savannah.

    Based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, after the basics of – food, shelter, water, and clothing – belonging is up on the list as we move towards self-actualization, which has been referred to as the human potential movement. For readers wanting to know more about the human potential movement http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g2699/is_0001/ai_2699000166/.

    And for readers wanting to know more about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs http://www.businessballs.com/maslow.htm

    I enjoy reading your posts and love your pictures!

    Warmly, Brenda
    http://www.CreatingYourBeyond.com

    • Thank you for the link to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, Brenda. And, as always, thank you for reading and commenting. I am way behind in both responding and writing. Life is currently getting in the way of sitting still for long.

      I agree we all want to be “seen” and “heard”, and maybe are afraid of that happening as well. I hope to catch up on your writings over the next few days. In the mean time, thank you for your patience and your contributions to “thinking outloud” through blogging! ~ Paulann

    • Thanks, Jen! Isn’t it interesting, and impactful for good or bad, the difference in how we see ourselves and how others see us. Sometimes we so afraid of judgement, or mis-judgement, that we don’t allow ourselves to be “seen”. Thanks for your commitment to both seeing and allowing!
      ~ Paulann

    • There is a thin line between real life and the play, isn’t there? Thanks for the reminder that there is a thespian inside us all, and she has much to teach us if we take the time to watch and listen! ~ Paulann

  2. Paulann – Isn’t that the truth!
    Have you seen the musical, Wicked? Reminds me of “Popular”.
    Of course it also reminds me of how afraid I was – most of my life, of being different.
    Nice.
    Debbie

    • I have not seen Wicked. I will have to check out “Popular”. We are often afraid of being different, and I’m not sure we’re anywhere near realizing the benefit of celebrating and learning from our individual and cooperative uniqueness. Thanks for hanging in there with the GrowthLines blog during this recent unplanned hiatus/dry spell. ~ Paulann

  3. Many want to be different enough to be noticed and admired, but are afraid when they are considered so different that they will be rejected or ridiculed. It’s tough when you are living for others and what they think instead of pursuing your own truth.

    • You said it, Carol! There seems to be an amazingly thin line between our public and private self. It is a dilemma to want to be known and afraid we will be. It’s a little ironic that some of most “exposed” moments actually free us up to go ahead and be ourselves. Thanks for your thoughts. I hope to be fully back to the blogging world soon, both as a reader and a contributor! ~ Paulann

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