Sometimes life seems...

I almost cried when I read your words there Anora. You should not have to put up with such abuse. That may sound a strong term, but that's what I think it is. You have achieved and continue to do so. People that say such things are petty and I suspect somewhat jealous. Think positively and stand strong in your beliefs. Don't compromise. You are you and no one can take that away.

Dear Anora...I know what you're saying. People can be terrible with their words sometimes. I work with someone who has told me that I could never afford to live in her area, that my house is a cottage, how I'm not the least bit creative, etc. These things have been very hurtful. Now it is true that my house is very small - just two bedrooms - but I bought it as a single person. Now that I'm married and have a child we will need more room and will be looking into the purchase of a new home. And we wouldn't want to live near people who criticize constantly. As for you... you are educated - that doesn't make you snooty it makes you a smarty. And you should stand up for what you believe in - that's what makes you a special person. I usually retreat into my circle of family and friends and try to push those critical thoughts out of my head. If journaling and meditating accomplishes the same goal for you, then by all means do so! You know your worth - don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

Dang, apparently I'm snooty too. Never knew that... I don't know, it's not hard for me to stick to my beliefs but it is hard for me to express them in the face of opposition. I'd rather just get away from the argument. My "rotten upbringing" I suppose. But as far as what I do when life gets me down for whatever reason, I try to find beauty in something. Music or the childrens' laughter, flowers, my cats, a good book, a joke, something....

Hi Anora! I know how you feel and sometimes I want to lock myself away. Most of the time I fight them tooth and nail..lol. I have never been one to walk with the crowd. If anything I find ways not too. To get by..I simply stick to what I know..that's not to say that I don't consider what they say but if someone has made you feel less or wrong then they are the ones that should be questioning their views. Now I know you can put up a good argument and I know you have reasons for being who you are..just like me..stand up to them Anora. Let them have what their asking for..lol..put them in a quagmire.

I am also snooty and you're asking the person who revels in the quagmire. (laughs) Actually, erase that, after falling into this pit I am in, I feel that I am actually one with the quagmire. Having said that, my answer is this: I am proud of whatever state I am in right now (being unemployed, being in a third-world country) and if ever someone asks me why I'm still happy despite having no job, my retort is pretty simple: "That's because I can afford to." Good day to you Anora!

Hey first thing: Don't let others thoughts affect you to the bit. I used to be like that before then i gradually came to understand that people will never ever shut their big mouths they will talk and talk whether good or bad so from that I give a damn about the wrong stuffs they say I do. When im sad and lonely they never tend to put forward their hand but when Im happy and enjoying my life then they tend to raise their fingers to be. So I give a damn about what they say now. I know where I come from, Where I am, and where i am heading so I have enough will power to do that.

Dear Anora this is a great discussion.Well I am know to live life my own way according to my own standards.I do not live to look good to the eyes of others.I am basically a good man who value time words an convictions.I am a person who is grossly misunderstood as a brash person for calling a spade a damn spade and for being unable to stand the utter stupidity..I just cannot call a spade a pitchfork for other's sake.It gives me a great inner peace living this way.

not so many people stands in their chosen principles - afraid that others might not support it and usually brings me down. i, for one, who has not yet finish my degree. in some ways, it's very hard for me to take on pride of myself because i have done so much things that i am not very proud of in my life. and whenever integrity or principles are being talked about. i usually yield in to what others might have say because i know in some ways, having a degree, or if you're working or such a big hot shot in your work puts you some place higher than where i am standing now. even though it's against to what i believe in but somehow found myself agreeing just to avoid embarrassment or pity on myself. my mom knows how i value my pride and found out how sometimes i detached myself from others. we had this talk once that a person can't be measured by the clothes she's wearing or the car she's driving. but how she present herself to other people. she even told me that as long as your treating others right, it's a good achievement already because not so many are able to do that. and one of the most priceless advice she gave me was to stand for what i believed in - even if i am standing alone. =) i hope i am making sense, anora. cheers! =)

I have been 'judged' by many over the years but honestly it all rolls off. I decided to follow my then fiance here to Italy, marry here and settle and then when we split up some 18 years later I stayed her even though I have no family except my own son here. It wasn't easy but my roots are here now. I do things my way, think my way because it's my life I'm leading not anyone elses. I don't tell people what they should do with theirs and I often wonder when people stop and criticise mine if it is because they are not happy with their own. When it happens I just smile and move on. That works for me Anora and it is the only advice I can give you.

I relate to your sentiments Angora.I have lost myself at different times in my life while trying to be something other than who I am. I used to be called a snob when I was a school because I was quiet and wouldn't associate with the "popular" kids. I did not have the kind of upbringing that fuelled my self esteem and I came across people in my life that whenever I did something well they were there ready to bring me right down and due to my fragile self esteem I almost always believed them; I put off writing amongst many other things I enjoy due to lack of confidence in who I am. It has taken me a lot of years to recognise that the "me" that I am is just as special and has every right to be here and do whatever makes my heart sing as everybody else. It is very rare that someone can make me feel "less than" these days. I tend to withdraw into my writing, my books and my music when I feel caught in a quagmire and it usually takes me a while to re-emerge. Stick to your beliefs and be proud of who your are at all costs, calling you snooty because you have a degree is plain jealousy, not your problem.