by Jessi Mills

Created on: February 19, 2007   Last Updated: April 30, 2007

I know about the cookie cutter theory and what it implies. I just don't believe that people HAVE to conform, however, there are some who do think one does in order to feel good about themselves. I speak of people who feel disgusted with themselves or ashamed because they haven't been to college or they don't have a model-perfect body. They feel bad about themselves because they aren't wearing the latest fashions or thier teeth aren't perfectly straight and white.

I blame the media for being irresponsible in thier duties to ALL people, be they grown men and women, or children. If I, for example, didn't see beautiful people on the TV and in magazines all day, I could feel better about myself for being overwieght. My husband tells me everyday that I am beautiful, as do others, but I have a hard time beleiveing them because I don't look like those women on TV. I appluad such companies as Dove for attempting to show the world that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and ages, but they are just one company. I would like to see more of thier example being displayed by more companies.

But, I digress (which is the norm for me :P). I heard a man say on a radio talk show that he thinks that we need more kids going to a trade school or maybe even NOT going to any post high school facility because the world NEEDS more blue collar workers. I tend to agree with him. If everyone became a doctor or a lawyer, who would build the houses? Provide electricity? Who would work on our cars, or refine our fuel? More importantly, who would do all those jobs that none of us ever think about, but are vitally important to our way of life?

In my opinion, I think we should be appluading those who don't follow the standard route of life, those who show us that we don't have to be what everyone else wants us to be in order to succeed. We should ignore what society tells us to do, allow our morals and our family to guide us, and be happy with what we have instead of letting others bring us down by telling us we don't have enough STUFF to be happy.

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