Hippie. That seems to be what people think of me when I start to share my beliefs. My dad always tells me that I was born in the wrong decade. He thinks that he will see me on the news one day tied up to a tree yelling "SAVE THE TREES!! SAVE THE TREES!!" (...that could actually happen) He laughs at me when I talk about how the government is no good and how they use and manipulate us (he works for the government, by the way). I can be almost certain that a lot of people think this or something similar when I first share what I think.
I am a vegetarian, humanitarian and peace activist. I hope to volunteer for the peace corps one day and I want to save the rain forests. I love all animals (but I don't 'like' dogs) and I am sad that the beluga whale is going extinct. I love long dresses/skirts and putting flowers in my hair. I listen to indie music and visit 'peace' websites. I have the 'hippie motto' tattooed down my back in kanji. This. Is. Me.
Its crazy when I share these things with people that they automatically have the same thoughts as my father. They call me a tree hugger (which I am happy to be) and some say that I am one of those people who care more about the survival of others than our own survival. When people who don't know me hear what I believe in, I can guarantee the first thing to pop into their heads is the 60s. They automatically think that I am some new age hippie ready to TAKE DOWN THE MAN!
It's weird because my best friend is like my twin, but she is into ROTC and the Air Force and stuff, and I am all for peace and living in tranquility. When I hang out with her and her friends, I can't stand it! They are mostly republican and conservative and I absolutely hate being around those kind of people. I don't know if it is actually because of my hippie-like qualities or if it's because I hate close-minded people, but when I am around them, I just want to pull my hair out!
Hmmm...Was I really born in the wrong decade? I often think to myself, if I were to go back to the 60s, would I really group myself with the 'hippies?' I find it really exciting thinking about this actually...What even makes a hippie a hippie? Why can't I just be a person who CARES? Why can't I be an all american girl who won't eat hot dogs on the Fourth of July? Why can't I hang out with my best friend and her friends without judging or being judged? Bahhh. It's just craziness, I tell you...
Hey Samantha! :)
ReplyDeleteI really like your post because you expanded on so much to do with your beliefs and how others perspectives influence the way you think and act.
I like the paragraph about your tattoo and I think that it could be expanded a little, like what strong significance does it have to you? is there a story? how did you decide to get that specific tattoo? etc. Im intrigued to how you ended up with that specific tattoo as tattoos can say a lot about a person, which I LOVE!
Hey Samantha!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post. Particularly because you most certainly know who you are, and how others (like your best friend) have an impact on you. I love your sure sense of self, it makes for a powerful statement! However I really liked the paragraph where you ask yourself if you should have been born in a different decade. I love that idea. It would have been awesome if you tried to answer that question. Why do you want to go back to another decade? What about that decade appeals so much to you? But overall a great post!
P.S... Much love from another Vegetarian and Tree Hugger! I totally understand the friction between your views and that of your parents, my situation is VERY similar!
This is a really great post. I love how you really explored not only yourself but the ideas of the people around you. I find the last paragraph being very interesting and explorative. Especially the part of how you can't stand your best friend's friends... One thing that I did think of was why? What made you adopt these values and ideas? You have really different views and I am not saying its bad. It's pretty effin' cool actually but yeah I was curious how you decided to become a vegetarian, when, and why?
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