Image Idenification...

Well, it was bound to happen. The day was bound to come when I would try to take on the ways and means that we use to describe ourselves. While I feel confident in my ability to understand the topic that I am addressing, I am not sure of my ability to explain it.

Here's what you get for two pennies...

Have you ever looked back on your life and tried to remember just how many different labels that were ascribed to you? I have. The list is rather long, and there are some that are certainly missing, but here are a few highlights: Dork, Nerd, Geek, Dreamer, Loser, Asshole, Elitist, Professional, Philosopher, Cowboy, Redneck, and Country.

Oh, and I mustn't forget Hellion, Crazy-Person, and Wack-Job.

Not a bad list, if I do say so myself...*grin*

I guess if you really wish to understand them, you must realize that none of them are a profession. They are all descriptions given of my character. Some were given by my friends, some by enemies. Some were from jobs I have held, and some are a statement of my background and way of looking at life.

I remember quite well how much those labels hurt when I was younger. Never being one of the "cool-kids", I felt quite painfully the distance that existed between me and my peers. As I got older, there came ones that I took pride in. What was strange was how some of them that used to hurt, became a badge of merit over time.

Not that anyone that reads this would find the concept difficult to believe, but here is an example of one such change. In primary school, I was a nerd, and an outsider. As a senior, I was a nerd...and hosting chemistry study-hall for a number of the varsity cheerleaders. Were any of them my friends, no...not as I recall. But it was quite a boost for my self-esteem at the time...

But, I am getting off topic here.

What I have spent some time thinking about is how, as I get older, the power of these ascribed labels has diminished. Well, that isn't exactly correct. It isn't that they have diminished, but rather that they no longer have the power to hurt me.

Somewhere along the line, I realized that everyone has the same problem that I did. For lack of a better way of expressing it, they started "believing their own press."

Upon realizing this, I decided to put some thought into why the labels were so important. I came to the conclusion that the reason why they exist is quite basic. They exist because there is a need in many to feel special. Be honest, with yourself if no one else, and answer the following question:

How many of you out there were brought up to believe that you were something special? How many were taught that they could be anything that they wanted to be?

I don't think that I would be very far off in stating that most of us have heard those words.

What does this have to do with labels? I'm glad you didn't ask...

You see, the labels exist because all of us are trying to find out just what it is that is special about ourselves. We look at the people that we see, and compare ourselves to them. Differences are cataloged. The ones that make us feel superior go to one side. The ones that make us feel inferior go to another.

Here's the kicker: For most, the only traits that we choose to show others are the ones that make us feel superior. Need proof? Look at the social groups that existed in your high school, or in your job, or even in your recreation time. I am willing to bet that there was at least one person that was a "mascot." There was at least one person that didn't fit the mold of the rest of the automatons, but was accepted. That person was usually the butt of most of the jokes and pranks, but they were kept around because just by being who they were, they made the other members of the group feel better about themselves.

The same reason is responsible for many of the talk shows today. Be honest, do you really watch them because you hope that the person will have some kind of epiphany, and out of some altruistic need on your part, you watch in hopes that you see it?

Come on, folks!

People watch those shows because they get the opportunity to see someone who's life is even more messed up than they believe their own to be! Many will even go so far as to say, "Well, at least MY life isn't THAT bad...!"

Sure, there are the heartwarming stories of triumph. Do we watch them because we want to see them overcome? Don't fool yourself. Most watch them because they look at their inferior column and say, "Well, if THAT person, whom I am better than, can do THAT, then I can too!"

Here is my question, if any are brave enough to answer: Why do so many feel it necessary to tear someone down to make them feel better about themselves? Why is it so hard for us to admit that someone might be better than we are at something?

I know, I know. You want to know what this has to do with labels. Make the point already, right?

Here's my point. The reason why the labels no longer bother me as much as they used to is because I am making a conscious effort to admit to my weaknesses, my failures if you will. If I don't like failing in one aspect of my life, then I do something about it. If it doesn't bother me to admit that someone is better than I am at something, then I do absolutely nothing.

Why, you might ask?

Because I don't see how competing for a prize that I have no desire to win makes sense!

I don't care if I am the richest, smartest, most famous, most successful, most respected person in the world. The only thing that I am willing to strive to be is the best Me that I can.

Let me tell you something, folks...

When that day comes, my parents will have been right. I truly will be something truly special.