Keepin' it Real

I enjoyed The Velveteen Rabbit as a child. I saw words from the book on a post recently and they struck me. 

I have often been accused of being "negative" in life. (A good book I read a couple of years ago about people who see the world as glass-half-empty is Bittersweet by Susan Cain, who also wrote Quiet, another book [about the blessings of often-misunderstood introverts] with which I strongly identify). I am not alone.  Iver also, like me, tends to have a "realistic" (as well as highly sensitive) temperament.  At times, I may be "content."  However, I am not a laugh-out-loud often kind of person (my kids love to try to get me to laugh out loud). 

Sometimes I say (or write in ranting company e-mails) things that people don't want to hear because they can be uncomfortable and reveal flaws.  My words may come across as negative, but they are in efforts to make things better, usually offering practical solutions. When things don't improve, it is possible to spiral into cynicism.  As a HSP (highly sensitive person), I am affected deeply about things and people around me, especially things which are inefficient, not working well, or unjust.    

Sometimes my honesty is not always welcomed. I may not always tell you what you want to hear, but I will be honest (and real). I can't stand superficial small talk, which exhausts deeply feeling realists like me. True honesty is truly the only way to have deep, and genuine relationships.  

I may be kinda shabby and definitely worn down, but think everyone should appreciate me wanting to keep it real!