How do i find myself? Throughout my life ive been influenced by friends, people at school, and tv. i am just now realizing who i am and who i want to be, but its hard to break away from my old self. I often find myself judging too quickly, and then i go back and correct myself. One thing i am most embarassed about is my view towards people of opposite races, which i blame on the media. Through television and the like i have gotten the impression that some African Americans are dangerous (for lack of a better word). I know this is totally untrue, but i still cant help myself from becoming uneasy when walking past a questionable looking fellow along the sidewalk. I don't want to see people like this, but I can't seem to free myself form past habits. I am by no means trying to mold myself into a loving person, rather i am trying to free and express the love that i know i have.
I hope i didnt come off as sounding racist, by the way, because i never have and never will have such feelings. I just chose this as an example.
some blacks are dangerous, as are some whites and some whatevers....anyway i see you live in america in which case i can't blame you for having those feelings, the media as indoctirined them into you from an early age, just keep trying to be a better person and it'll come....
Dude, I am so totally going through the same thing. There's a flower analogy with petals and such...go check it out in the Gamma Ray and Satellite's Online Pad at http://members.aol.com/diggamma/text/tour4.htm We love you, GR & S!!!
The first step to anything is becoming aware of it. Awareness is a pretty powerful thing and it seems to me that you are really aware of certain things that alot of 16 year olds aren't. Just stay in tune with your feelings and change the ones you want to, but some people are dangerous, so stay in touch with your intuition.
I don't think anyone can tell you how to find yourself...it's more of a lifelong process. As for being influenced by the things you experience, it's always going to happen. If you don't like the influence any particular thing has on you, make adjustments. And it's not hard to see where you would pick up negative stereo types from the mass media here in the good ol' USA. Again, if you don't like the influence any certain thing has on you, make adjustments. Get away from the TV and other edible media constantly crammed down your throat. Go out and experience life. You also might find that if you do, you hear your inner voice clearer, and it becomes easier to find yourself.