The gift of not being tall, handsome and popular when growing up

Image credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pictoquotes/14209239497

What's up Steemians, hopefully your having a nice day. Today's topic is once again a very personal one, but also something that I started to realize only a few years ago. Some of you are probably wondering what the heck is the headline saying, but I know some of you know exactly what I'm talking about.

The world through the eyes of young Rabbe

During the first years of school I came to the conclusion that I really wasn't the kind of kid that people desperately want to hang out with. There was nothing wrong with me, I guess other kids were just cooler than me. We all know that kids can be very cruel when they choose who they want to be with. Wear odd clothes and you'll be left out, talk funny and they don't want to be with you etc. I was the chubby, kinda quiet dude who always knew the answers if the teacher asked so obviously I wasn't the kid who got the admiration from girls and respect from the guys. I wasn't bullied, but I wasn't the first choice of my classmates either.

I remember envying the "cool kids" who were popular and seemed to get everything a young, insecure guy could wish for just by being who they were. No effort, just looks and some other qualities they were born with. At the time it felt unfair, like they were getting more than they deserved. I wasn't mad at them though, I just kinda took what I was given and dealt with it.

This social construction remained almost the same through my school years, although it became clearer as I got older and boys and girls got more interested in eachother. I was still the chubby, quiet guy that knew the answers. However, the years had taught me a few things.

Valuable lessons

Finding out the fact that I wasn't going to get anything for free gave me a new kind of attitude towards people and life. Instead of feeling like a failure, I made a decision to become such an awesome dude that it didn't matter if I was chubby, quiet or not that handsome. I did my best to be the kind of person that everyone wanted to hang out with. A good friend and an interesting guy.

So I learnt to listen to people and their problems, tried to be nice to everyone and kept from offending them in anyway, understood how to make people laugh etc. In a way I became a "social chameleon" that could fit into all kinds of groups quite quickly. I also kept learning new talents and gaining knowledge on different things in order to stand out. In hindsight it was a dumb reason to do these things, but the end result is positive anyway.

The gift no-one wants but everyone needs

If I would have been given the chance to be a cool, handsome and popular kid when I was younger, I would have taken it. No question. However, if I was now given the chance to go back in time and live that way, I'd probably laugh and say no thanks. The last couple of years have given me a new way of looking at life and how lucky I have been. I grew up to be a kind, understanding person who's not afraid to work if I want to reach a goal. People say I'm easy to talk to and that I'm a good listener. All of these qualities came as a side product of trying to fit in groups and trying to be the best I can be in order to get friends.

Later on I was also lucky enough to find out that if you're kind and can make a girl laugh, it doesn't really matter if your looks are not A+. Of course it helps if you have some quite odd and interesting talents up your sleeve.

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That's it for today people. In the last years I've understood that this is one of the best gifts I've got in life, and that it has had a big impact on who I've become. I guess it could have been nice to be popular and cool when I was younger. But I honestly think that no matter how many friends or girls I would've had swarming around me, I couldn't have turned out better than I did. Today I can say that I'm proud of who I have grown to be and that I wouldn't choose otherwise if I had the chance.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, let me know what you think. Until next time. Peace.
-R