"How Important Is Acceptance?"

How many great men and women are hidden from society due to their own self imposed insecurities? We are all great in our own way, the sad fact that so many of us never reach our potential because of fear and worry of public opinion is an injustice to humanity. Not only do these crippling feelings cause pain to the individual, society also suffers.

People need to feel and be free to be whom and what they really are inside. How many of us are trapped into being and doing things just because we feel it’s what society demands, that it’s the only way to fit in and be accepted in today’s world? I’m sure that the cause of many mental illnesses are the fact that we feel imprisoned by our need to be accepted by society, we hide our true feelings and let them fester inside and poison our health and well-being.

Men need to be strong, virile, and confident. Women must be petite, soft spoken, and look their best at all times. These are just a few of the many unspoken perceived rules of society. What of the people who don’t fit these profiles of the proper man or woman? These are the people who are ridiculed and shunned by society. They are made to feel that they are doing something wrong or that they aren’t normal. The real question is what is normal? Who decides what normal is? Do we or should we really want to be like everyone else? Imagine how boring the world would be if everyone was the same.

Our differences are what make the world more exciting, more colorful. Imagine if all painting used the same colors, the same styles. Everyone sees the world differently; it’s just that most of us are afraid to say exactly how we feel. The fear of acceptance is a stifling emotion. The few of us who are strong enough to truly be ourselves are usually the ones who come up with many of the inventions, styles, and artistry (including culinary) that add spice to humanity.

Is it wrong to be a homosexual? Are homosexuals evil, wrongdoers? While I myself am not a homosexual I do respect their right to be who they are. There is nothing wrong, or evil about being a homosexual, just as there is nothing wrong with being a heterosexual. As long as there are two consenting adults it can’t be wrong. The only true wrong is not being who we really are.