day to day

[subliminalmind]

through time I have notice many different opinions and veiws of vampirism, I have come to understand that a person is smart however, people, especially in mass groups, have alway been dumb, panicy, dangerous animals. I have dealt, especially recently with narrow minded opinions that make it difficult to be open about who I really am. I was wondering if anyone with similar experiences would be willing to share some insight on how to deal with the day to day decriminatory actions of the people around us?

[Camazotz]

I think it's all about learning to know who you really are and then being confident in that.

Now, to be honest I'm good with the first part, but will struggle with some of the second from time to time- like just now for instance. With the best will in the world, it's sometimes a lot easier to let other peoples' opinions guide how you see yourself, rather than being the calm in the middle of the storm of their emotions.

Some people will always be helpful and supportive, some will always bring you down, because it makes them feel better about themselves. It's important to remember that this type of person will always find something to try to put you down on- be in your intelligence, your skin colour, your vampirism, your faith etc etc. However, it says more about them that it actually has to do with you.

People are equally intrigued and afraid of those who are "different". I think at heart we all admire the qualities that make someone an individual, but also there is a human tribe mentality where something "different" is something to be attacked, so it doesn't risk ruining the status quo.

Your post reminds me of some of the things that have been running through my own head of late. Whilst I'm perhaps not answering your question, I've been wondering what makes me "me", what makes me someone who will be remembered or not, wondering if I truly touch peoples' lives, or am merely a passing dream that will be forgotten shortly as soon as I'm not there anymore. It's not about wanting to be the best, or even wanting to be the "only one" for them, but my own need to know that I make some sort of a difference, that I stand out in some way from the crowd.

As for dealing with other people... I've come under attack many times in my life, for all sorts of things, from racism, sexism to all other sorts of bigotry. At times I've let myself down and taken these things to heart- but that's the point, if I do listen to them ALL that I am doing is letting MYSELF down. At the end of the day, no one will ever be able to hurt you really, it is only your own self that can sow seeds of doubt and allow them to fester. Know what you are, be proud of those things that make you unique and let yourself shine.

I hope that helps.. I'm not sure if it will,

Cama

[gypsy mouse]

"As for dealing with other people... I've come under attack many times in my life, for all sorts of things, from racism, sexism to all other sorts of bigotry. At times I've let myself down and taken these things to heart- but that's the point, if I do listen to them ALL that I am doing is letting MYSELF down. At the end of the day, no one will ever be able to hurt you really, it is only your own self that can sow seeds of doubt and allow them to fester. Know what you are, be proud of those things that make you unique and let yourself shine."

right on hun!!!

ya know what i do when im faced with that.. and it happens alot...ya ought to see the way i dress....i laugh... they are small minded... vain...and uncaring. screw um!! you aint got time in your short life to pay it any mind. with all thats going on in the world... people still only look in their own backyards...and judge....in the long run hun... it just doesnt matter....none of it matters at all....f*ck um!

[Celeste]

Finding good people in your life that you can trust...thats all the reaffirmation one needs to see that its not so terrible.
One only needs to realize they aren't alone....in anything.

How to deal with it?
I really don't care what people think and it shows and so I guess instead of wasting their time...they just move on.
Its true what cama says....people attack whats different. Different means change...and some just don't do well with change.
Just know yourself and believe in yourself.

[gypsy mouse]

and give yourself a big ass ol hug the next time you see yourself.... as to where the rest of the world is absorbed in themselves, your eyes are open to more then that.

when people look at you and pass judgement they are really just showing a really ugly part of themselves. it takes all kinds in this world. one thing ive noticed, time and time again, is that when you pay these people any kind of mind, you wind up second guessing who you are. you can not take these people to heart. know your self. wear you proudly. your life is a presious gift. it is yours. you cant let others tell you how you should be or who you are. thats for you to deal with. peoplethat need to judge like that need hobbys. live your life the best you can. blow off the assholes.. theres no time in this short life for that. time eaters suck. every moment they make you stop your forward momentum to second guess what you are doing, they are slowly killing you with a very small knife... momment by momment stealing your life away. ya cant let them. with every passing breath your closer to death.. dont waste your life concerned about what they think. they are leading unfullfilling, unproductive, little insignificant lives. my favorite term "fuck um. i got things to do."

[MFuture]

This may sound a bit egotistical, or self-centered, but I have always dealt with this by taking care of myself first. You are the most important person in your life. With Vampirism, i've found that coming to terms with yourself, your condition, and how you view vampirism is an important step towards dealing with the masses, so to speak.

Once you truly have control of yourself, dealing with others comes easily. You give off a confidence, and people will take you seriously. It often happens when you least expect it, and they usually approach you first. There are people who will never understand. Those people have the same problems we all had (and some still do). They are not comfortable with themselves.

This is not a bad thing at all. Once you have peace within, you will appreciate others more, and be more understanding of how they percieve you.

[Celeste]

I don't think that sounds egotistical at all.....more like common sense.

[RKCoon]

For me, i DO get egotistical about it - ie, "I AM a vamp, and i am above 99% of this bullshiot that humanity pulls" i find thats a great start for me, seperating myself from the masses i mean. but then i also throw it at myself - "Im a vamp, and i CAN control myself, how i feel how i act, how i am. i CAN and WILL control who and what i am." Then, after all that, if the humans (AND other kin, i can honestly say ive had as much headaches from vamp bullshit and therian bullshit and so on as ive had from human bullshit) are still on my case, i can say fuckem usually it aint worth worrying about it OR them.

"They will ALL feel my rightous wrath!!!" *shot repeatedly for overhamming*

[gypsy mouse]

"then, after all that, if the humans (AND other kin, i can honestly say ive had as much headaches from vamp bullshit and therian bullshit and so on as ive had from human bullshit)" said the rkcoon
lets not forget, you are human.

[RKCoon]

So they keep telling me. ;)

[Preist]

through time I have notice many different opinions and veiws of vampirism, I have come to understand that a person is smart however, people, especially in mass groups, have alway been dumb, panicy, dangerous animals. I have dealt, especially recently with narrow minded opinions that make it difficult to be open about who I really am. I was wondering if anyone with similar experiences would be willing to share some insight on how to deal with the day to day decriminatory actions of the people around us?

all i can say on this part is that it seems you have met with the heard mentality its the thing were peer presure gets to everyone and no one can be an induvidual and theres always the one gobby bastard who feels that they have to express there dumb ass opinion and because they have spoken.

i have always found that if i trust someone enough wich is rarely i will confind in them at some point but then again its norrmaly after there get used to something thats out of the ordinary around my self like giving them a sample of natural energy around them selves they cant explain it so when i explain what i am to them they dont norrmaly have much to argue against

Preist

[Twilight_Pisces]

Y'know, subliminalmind. I've had that same kind of thinking for several years now. That the person is smart, but people in groups tend to get stupid. (Not to mention Congress... ahem.) Even before my awakening, I came to the realization that in general people can be like sheep, just follow each other without question or even thinking about where they are going.

So I agree, its hard to be open around people. Not to play favoritism, but I have noticed that Pagans/Wiccans have usually been more open about who I am when I tell them. They see my vampire ankh that I wear all the time and ask about it. That creates more questions of course, but its usually them who actually listen without calling me crazy or giving me weird looks.