Thank you for sharing. That is certainly true!

Good saying. I still think it is good to be yourself and not tap dance to the beat of someone else's tune.

Eyesalve here is my thought: some get enjoyment (pro'ly me included) in rocking the boat and don't think ahead to what it usually costs us. Then we get put down and ask why.

There are ppl I admire, who get plenty done -- say in the environmental movement. One of 'em mght say something which at first makes me think he is not actually drawing a hard line. When I ask, this is what I hear: "you have to pick your battles."

YMMV

I have a notion I'm an outspoken person. And f2f I can stand out at times when maybe it is not wise to do so. A member here (whom I find particularly likeable) seems this way also; that's why the original post. / But you may have a slant on things I could benefit from. ...

this is very true yet it sucks that its true. Cause this happens to me frequently. I tend to stick out in crowds then all the insecure women start getting jealous and treat me like shit. Example. I went to a party last week and a friend introduced me to this couple. When I shook their hands, the female nearly broke my fingers off with her handshake! Trying to intimidate me via her handshake. And I did nothing to her but be polite and say hello! All because she was jealous.

Calebb I try not to rock the boat but if I think it is beneficial I always give my 2cents

I'll go with that. . . :)

tnx

A stake might get hammered down so you don't trip over it but a flower wouldn't. I think it depends on what way you stand out.

I agree with all that was said already. I have trouble being around many people as I feel they irritate me and I am sensitive to criticism. Being unique should not be a cause for criticism. My husband is not as sensitive and is truly unique and does not get the criticism.

So true, but I always stay true to myself regardless. Just need to find a more fitting social group.

I asked my Japanese friend about this saying. He said: "Deru kui wa utareru" is one of my favorite Japanese sayings. Japan is a conformist society, so we are encouraged since our childhood to be the same as our friends and neighbors. It's shameful to be different from them. Right now, I don't work, so I'm different. I look for work hard to be the same as others.

I live in the Bible belt and I am an agnostic in the closet. I feel all alone. I would love to meet someone like me that has no opinion of what is to come and has no fear of the afterlife and what it may bring. I have come to this realization when my late wife came to me in a dream. She told me that I would be with het again 1day and not to worry about who is right about what comes after death. I am a spiritual person that has no religion because I know that I am going to be okay.

My beliefs do make me a target of hatred even though I try not to judge others.