The Black Sheep

The Black Sheep by [Madisyn Taylor] When we move beyond comparisons and accept our differences, we appreciate the significance of our upbringing and socialization in each of our unique life's journey. Many of us have had an experience in which we felt like the lone black sheep in a vast sea of white sheep. For some of us, however, this sense of not belonging runs more deeply and spans a period of many years. It is possible to feel like the black sheep in families and peer groups that are supportive, as well as in those that are not. Even if we receive no overt criticism regarding our values, there will likely be times when it seems that relatives and friends are humoring us or waiting for us to grow out of a phase. Sometimes we may even think we have been adopted because we are so different from our family members. These feelings are not a sign that we have failed in some way to connect with others. Rather, they should be perceived as the natural result of our willingness to articulate our individuality. Many black sheep respond to the separateness they feel by pulling back from the very people to whom they might otherwise feel closest and embracing a different group with whom they enjoy a greater degree of commonality. But if you feel that your very nature has set you apart from your peers and relatives, consider that you chose long ago to be raised by a specific family and to come together with specific people so that you could have certain experiences that would contribute to your ongoing evolution. You may be much more sensitive than the people around you or more artistic, aware, spiritual, or imaginative. The disparate temperament of your values and those of your family or peers need not be a catalyst for interpersonal conflict. If you can move beyond comparisons and accept these differences, you will come to appreciate the significant role your upbringing and socialization have played in your life's unique journey. In time, most black sheep learn to embrace their differences and be thankful for those aspects of their individuality that set them apart from others. We cannot expect that our peers and relatives will suddenly choose to embrace our values and offer us the precise form of support we need. But we can acknowledge the importance of these individuals by devoting a portion of our energy to keeping these relationships healthy while continuing to define our own identities apart from them. [PRINT] [SAVE] [DISCUSS] --------------------------------------------------------------- DailyOM Course Spotlight [The Ultimate 7 Day Cleanse] by Tess Masters and Karen Kipp Are you ready to take your wellness to the next level with an exciting, fast-acting program that will help you lose weight, feel better, have more energy, sleep more deeply, breathe more freely, think more clearly, and feel more vibrant and healthy? Our 7-Day program will help you achieve optimal wellness with delicious fresh plant-based food, nutrient-dense juices, and easy wellness practices to renew your body, mind, and spirit. We've guided thousands of participants around the world through juice fasts and cleanses, and developed an easy step-by-step process that makes detoxing gentle, effective, delicious, and fun so that you have more energy and vitality. Boost your health in the way that feels comfortable depending on your needs, lifestyle, and wellbeing. You get to choose how you experience this cleanse. We offer two options: Gentle Cleanse: 7 days of clean eating with juicing or Deep-Dive Detox: 4 days of clean eat! ing and 3 days of juice fasting. Regardless of which track you choose, we will be with you every step of the way with daily emails, video support, forums, written material, and delicious recipes to help you get healthy. [Learn More] --------------------------------------------------------------- Top 10 DailyOM Courses 1. [A Year to Clear What is Holding You Back!] 2. [21 Day Yoga Body!] 3. [21 Day Yoga Shred] 4. [8 Week Whole Body Makeover!] 5. [A Year of Rumi] 6. [21 Day Beginner Yoga] 7. [Heal Yourself with Writing] 8. [Reinventing The Body, Resurrecting the Soul] 9. [You are a Badass at Habits] 10. [Break the Grip of Past Lovers] > [More Courses] --------------------------------------------------------------- [Home] | [Inspiration] | [Courses] | [Horoscopes] | [Gift Shop] [Email Settings] | [Unsubscribe] | [Privacy Policy] | [Help/FAQ] © 2016 DailyOM - All Rights Reserved No portion of this site can be reprinted without express permission. Subscribed as {NAME}[at]gmail.com (1276706) [1]