I would rather be hated for what I am then loved for what I am not.

[varkam]

I heard that in a meeting last week. It struck me, and I've been thinking about that phrase a lot. It's not melodrama to say that, at least in some circles, I am hated. I am sure that there are people out there who, could they be guaranteed immunity from prosecution, would happily end my life.

But who wants to be hated? No one does, of course. We all want to be loved, we all want to be wanted. So I started thinking that this was a rather silly phrase...until I realized that the important thing isn't whether you are loved or hated - but that you are able to live with integrity.

I have been loved before for all the things that I just pretended that I was - I was an active sex addict. It was a very lonely, isolated life - despite being loved and generally regarded as a great guy (with the exception, of course, of all the women I had caused pain and grief over the years). Now, despite how some people may feel about me, at least I can say that this is reality. I'm not living in fantasy anymore, and I'm not causing anyone pain anymore. So, even despite being "hated", I can see how it is preferable to being loved for my lies.

I hope everyone here is doing well :pals:

[NMDemDist2]

1. pray for the haters

you may be amazed

I have been, over and over.

:hug:

[Kajsa]

2. When you hear the phrase,

"keeping it real",

the true definition is what you
are talking about, Varkam.

or-- "to thy ownself be true".

:hug:

[SPKrazy]

3. That's food for thought Varkam

as usual you make me think about things that I don't like to think about always

thanks

:hug: