A Stand Out April 10, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Fiction, Humor, Word Play.trackback
“You’re a scandal!”
I grinned, “Don’t you mean, scoundrel?”
“No. You’re a scandal . . . your conduct offends propriety and morality.”
“Propriety . . . smietry. They’re just mad that I won’t conform to the norm.”
“What’s wrong with conforming to the norm?”
“Nothing . . . if you’re a sheep. B~a~a!”
“Aargh! You’re impossible!”
“Oh, I’m moving up in the world.”
“I’m serious. You need to . . . ”
“I need to what? Do what they want me to do? Be who they want me to be? No thanks. Life is too short for that type of nonsense.”
“It’s not nonsense! Don’t you care what they think?”
“About me? Not a bit. What they think of me is none of my business. Besides . . . I don’t look good in pink.”
Stop trying to fit in when you were born to stand out.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Related posts: Trifecta Challenge ~ Scandal * Talk of Tombstone (Janna)
Comments
Sorry comments are closed for this entry
Spirit Lights The Way 
more of us need to quit being concerned what others say. we need to stay true to who we are
When we know WHO we are . . . we know HOW to live. 😎
I think I have this down cold.
That’s good . . . you would look odd in pink. 😉
I draw the line when it comes to wearing orange ~ jail orange ~ but, other than that, I love your sense of ownership of self. I think you’re more courageous than I, and I admire that! Your blogs nudge me to push the envelope a bit. Thanks, Nancy!
I must concur, Janet ~ I just checked my wardrobe; orange is not well represented. Freedom has come with age. I often did what I wanted to do . . . but now I don’t worry what others think about my choices.
As Billy Joel said, “I don’t care what you say anymore . . . this is MY life. Go ahead with your own life and leave me alone.”
Be FREE!
Ha, I like to pick my own color (and style), too!
I am not one to follow trends . . . or fashionistas! Fads change, style doesn’t. 😀
I am not waiting until I am old to wear purple, that’s for sure.
Purple is one of my favorites . . . a rich and royal hue.
I love that poem . . . especially the part about scarfing down samples in shoppes. 😉
That poem is a life guide if ever there was one. 😉
A wonderful reminder to Be Here Now and Seize the Day . . . without postponing our dreams until tomorrow.
Like most people, the older I’ve gotten, the less concerned i’ve become about the opinions of others. The worst time for me was when I attended high school, where the need to conform was overbearing.
I was often asked, “Why can’t you be more like the other kids?”
When I tried to behave like the other kids, I was asked, “Why don’t you think for yourself?”
If I’d thought it would do any good, I’d have got down on my knees and begged for mercy.
Now that’s all a long time behind me. It’s easier just being myself; and I get along very well with most of the people I know.
Good for you, William.
I butt heads with people on occasion. But only the “bossy ones” who try to tell others what they should, and shouldn’t, do. 😉
I think I’m going to print that quote at the bottom, Nancy. It’s the essence of enjoying life.
I’d rather be disliked for who I am than loved for who I am not.
If I pretend to be someone I’m not and people like me . . . I’ve gained nothing, because they’ve fallen in love with a “mask.”
And if they don’t like the “pretend me,” I’m left wondering if the real me would have fared better.
I like this – scandal in a fun way. We should all aspire to such!
Dr. Seuss agrees: “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
I still like the “what people think of me is none of my business” line. I thought of using it (and giving you credit, of course) in my post, but it didn’t fit. And the pink panther would be boring *yawn* if he wore the standard black coat 🙂
As a side note, if you want the Trifecta editors to review this as part of the contest, they have an “Add your link” button above the comments section (and below the entries already linked in blue.
Actually, the credit goes to Wayne Dyer (I think) ~ maybe he borrowed it too. 😉
The pink panther would be boring in basic black . . . and Hobbes would look silly without his stripes.
Thanks for introducing me to the Trifecta challenge. I’ve been watching the FUN you’ve been having and decided to play along this week. I did add the permalink to their post. Thanks!
My mentor, Dr. Francisco Coll, used to frequently say, “What you think of me is none of my business,” which is a rephrasing, I think, of your quote. The first time I heard it, I was stunned. It had never occurred to me before. But it became more comfortable to think about it as time went on.
I have never really conformed, and when I tried to, I was miserable. So people would often judge me for being different. I couldn’t understand their mean-spirited view. When someone succeeds, I am happy and cheer them on. These people would tell lies about me, or skewed versions of events.
Of course, I was an easy target because I was so often in the public eye (media, lecturing, offering classes, etc.). As I’ve gotten older, I have minded less and less “the slings and arrows” of outrageous people 😛 I have to say though it sometimes still hurts.
I first heard it from Wayne Dyer on a youtube clip from the Ellen show . . . I fell in love with it immediately. 😀
Someone I knew from a Water Aerobics class asked me my full name one day. She gulped as she repeated it . . . “You’re nrhatch!?”
I smiled because I knew she’d heard something “unsavory” about “nrhatch” which didn’t mesh with her own perceptions of me.
So be it! Life is too short to worry about their “slings and arrows.”
[…] A Stand Out (nrhatch.wordpress.com) […]
There might need to be quantum leaps for me to get closer to this perspective….sigh….I feel more like that Nina Simone song…”I wish I could break all these chains holding me….” but,one step at a time, right?
If you spend all your time trying to correct “misapprehensions” others have about you, you’ll run out of time before you’re close to being done.
“They” see the world through their eyes . . . not yours.
“If you want to sing out, sing out. And if you want to be free, be free. There’s a million ways to be . . . you know that there are.”
I loved the picture of Hobbes up there. I’m afraid I’ve never cared much what people thought of me, so hats off to the nonconformist here. Also, I agree. I am NOT pretty in pink (though I love that song)
Hobbes is my hero. He knows WHO he is . . . and HOW he wants to live!
Be Free.
LOL! I am wearing a T shirt today that is a deep, dark pink with with black pants. I wear most colors, but prefer earth tone colors. And it’s is indeed liberating to be ourselves, love it! 🙂
Marie . . . I went “window shopping” today and almost bought black capris and a dark pink shirt.
What a great color combo. Here’s to be exactly who we are! 😀
I think we should have a “be yourself” day once a year so everyone would feel they had permission. maybe, after a while, it would rub off and we would all realize the best person to be , the only person to be, is wonderful unique you!!! A pox on those who try to push us into their expectations or desires for us.
I love that idea, Joss. “Be yourself” would be an instant hit! 😀
we could probably create a line of cards for it and become millionaires. hee hee.
Yes! That’s the entrepreneurial spirit, Joss.
I’m jumping up and down and waving great big pom poms around. Goooooooo Nancy! Just loved this, it truly expresses how I feel. Perfectly, succinctly put:
“I need to what? Do what they want me to do? Be who they want me to be? No thanks. Life is too short for that type of nonsense.”
Fabfabfabfabfab!
Thanks, Kate. Love the image of you bouncing around with pom poms . . .
Go team!
Yay!
There is no-one else like us, each and every one of us is unique – stay true to yourself is my motto. I am me, take me as I am – like me or don’t. What others think of me is their business, not mine.
Love this Nancy!
Thanks, Barb. I wrote a song once with lyrics that mirror your comment:
You are unique ~ there’s nobody else like you
Recognize that individuality in everything you do
Do what you will
Act as you please
But do no harm
So mote it be!
Here’s to minding our own business and allowing others to mind theirs. 😉
The Dyer quote is one of my favorites…every now and again I need to pull it out and dust it off, but I admit that is becoming less of a necessity! I loved the reminder! Debra
Same here. Their “slings and arrows” are mere pinpricks these days. From “OUCH” to “ouch” to “oh, well” to “LOL.” 😉
Oh, I love that: “Their “slings and arrows” are mere pinpricks these days. From “OUCH” to “ouch” to “oh, well” to “LOL.” But I must add one caveat: be yourself, as long as it intentionally harms no one.
Do what you will
Act as you please
But do no harm
So mote it be!
Um, Nancy. I told you that OFF the record. Oh well, you are a scandal.
And a scoundrel! Or as Cher used to sing:
She was a scamp, a camp, and a bit of a tramp. She was a V.A.M.P. . . . Vamp!
Let’s stand out with probity, Nance! In whatever colour we choose!
Yes! Let’s! 😀
What is with the wonky comment box today on WP? Maybe I am the wonky one. Ok, Nancy I know we talked about this BUT… I do care what some people think about me. I am not going to change to make them like me and I am not going to say things they want to hear to make them like me BUT I do care about what certain people think about me. People that I think I think alot of. If they don’t like me or my personality isn’t what they like I am not going to continue to try to make it work. I will be moving on, no tears no lower lip quivering BUT I do care what other people think of me. SOME other people! I’d say “what say you?” but I know. 😀
I hear you, Pix. It’s more FUN to dance with applause . . . but if the applause stopped, I wouldn’t stop dancing. 😀
The more genuine we are . . . the more we attract people who appreciate genuineness.
“Stop trying to fit in when you were born to stand out.” I didn’t join the stab people in the back, kiss up to those in power, and it’s not WHAT you know but WHO you know crowd at work… and eventually found myself without a job, career or income. Sometimes it’s not easy to be true to yourself… I really admire people who stop trying to fit in and dare to stand out. 😉
That’s a tough call, Theresa. If I had to “play nice” for a few hours a day to put food on the table . . . I probably would. I would bend with the breeze to stay alive until I could figure out a better use for my time and talents. But I would head for the “EXIT” sign at the first opportunity.
In social situations, it’s easier for me to be who I am and let the chips fall where they may. Some gravitate to me . . . other’s drift away. It’s all good.
I am jumping in my seat and feeling, hurray, someone really understands… 🙂
Glad you “get it,” Jas! Enjoyed your post on children with autism. Vive la difference!
Thanks Nancy.. 🙂
Stir it up, Nancy!
Thanks, BB! Here’s to stirring it up!
Everyone has a different sense of morality, propriety, etc. Who’s to say that one person’s way is wrong or right?
Especially when it comes to the “changing fashions” of the day.
Pink isn’t really my color, either, Nancy…
can’t seem to pull it off!
🙂
Tip: Steer clear of pastels. Aim for rich bold royal hues. Stripes or solids. No plaids. 😉
I spent many years standing by my right to be me – it never fails to amaze me how other people want to tell you how to run your life. I’ve grown – spread my wings – tried many things… They’re still stuck with the image of me as a trainspotter back in the ’70’s and they haven’t grown out of it! 😉 They have stagnated! More power to all who refuse to be pigeonholed for the sake of other peoples egos.
Yay, you! Many people enjoy consistency and predictability in their peers . . . so they know what to expect from them at all times. That, of course, would require us to stagnate.
Y~A~W~N . . . how boring! Here’s to constant change and flux! No pigeon holes allowed. 😉
Thanks for the LOL, Nancy, and the delight of Tigger & Pink Panther together in one post 😀
That’s Hobbes (from Calvin & Hobbes) . . . he’s Tigger’s first cousin, once removed. 😉
Yes! Yes! Yes!
“Make your own kind of music…”
Sing your own special song . . . even if nobody else sings along. 😀
I agree! Never try to be someone you aren’t and never behave in anyway that isn’t you. Well done!
Thanks . . . here’s to getting a roundtuit, one day. 😀
Ha, this was fun. Two of my favorite characters. Hope you can join us for the weekend prompt which is already up on the site. It’s community judging this weekend, so get your entry in and get voting!
Thanks! I’ll swing by and check it out. 😀
Who are the members of your trifecta? Just kidding… 😆
The week I wrote this, it was only a unifecta, not a trifecta. 😆
I so love these sort of articles from you! That’s me, that’s me!! Except I do actually look good in pink! 😆
Thanks, Robyn. I want to write another “moral of the story” dialogue pieces . . . SOON!
Dark pink suits me . . . pastel pink, not so much.