[Fi] Can you ever let your guard down?

[ceecee]

Why would I admit to letting my guard down or not? That seems pretty counterproductive. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't, all dependent on the situation.

That said, it's somewhat depressing to see the replies on the first page full of people that don't post here anymore.

 

[Zhaylin]

Wow! Awesome story! That would have stuck with me as well.

2 that I remember are from when I was about 8. I don't recall the first entirely, but it was about a brat who was hiking with a group. "Me first, me first!" is what she said whenever they were about to eat or drink anything or do something fun. Then they ran into a primitive tribe. "Me first, me first!" And so she was the first to go into the cooking pot and the first who was eaten lol

The other was just a Sunday school story about a mother hen who took all her chicks under her wings while a nasty storm raged around them. The mother hen died protecting her children. (Much like Christ and God and ..... )

Like you, I doubt the stories shaped me in any sort of significant way. I often think about them, though.

 

[Mole]

When my social environment is favourable to me, I am exuberant. And when my social environment is unfavourable to me, I become as invisible as possible.

 

[Coriolis]

Wow! Awesome story! That would have stuck with me as well.

2 that I remember are from when I was about 8. I don't recall the first entirely, but it was about a brat who was hiking with a group. "Me first, me first!" is what she said whenever they were about to eat or drink anything or do something fun. Then they ran into a primitive tribe. "Me first, me first!" And so she was the first to go into the cooking pot and the first who was eaten lol

 

[Frosty]

Enough that I post on this site. More than enough when Im drunk or otherwise impaired. Generally... it depends. But I would say Im definitely more closed off than most, but less closed off than I generally appear to be. I am less cynical and let my guard down more than people might nudge- I just dont announce it.

 

[Zhaylin]

Oh wow! I remembered this!!! But also an alternate version, so I just googled it.
I initially recall cannibals, not tigers. So I wonder which I was exposed to first- the video or Pamela Purse (Shel Silverstein Light in the Attic).

Amazing find [MENTION=9811]Coriolis[/MENTION] !

 

[Coriolis]

Oh wow! I remembered this!!! But also an alternate version, so I just googled it.
I initially recall cannibals, not tigers. So I wonder which I was exposed to first- the video or Pamela Purse (Shel Silverstein Light in the Attic).

Amazing find [MENTION=9811]Coriolis[/MENTION] !

When I was in middle school, a classmate recited this in our annual speech contest.

 

[Coriolis]

This. I am 'reserved" ( I do not outwardly express my feelings or emotions) but ASK how I am feeling/what I am thinking and I will tell you. I will tell you everything.

This leads to frequent misunderstandings: I have a reputation for being sarcastic when I am rarely am.
For ex, being asked "Aren't you excited?!" and I will tell you, stone-faced, and in a perfectly flat tone "Yes, I am excited." and for strange reason people think I am just telling them what they want to hear. I assure you that on the inside I am practically losing my shit with excitement.

In truth my guard is almost never "up". If I may wax super-nerdy for a moment, not all tanks wear armor. Some get bonuses for wearing practically nothing. Instead of reducing damage, they know that they can take it-in the face-and shrug it off.

I prefer this way. I can be ready for anything. Imagine just assuming your armor is strong enough to take anything and one day, it fails you. You've been hit in the face by a cannonball and you have no idea how to deal with it. I'd rather not be caught in such a situation.

That's just a different kind of armor, and can also fail. Ultimately it all comes from within ourselves, and is only as strong as we are. I cannot stand expectations that I have this or that emotion. Asking "aren't you excited?" will usually elicit the comment, "Why should I be? Because you would be in a similar situation?" The conversation is usually over at that point. If you ask what I am feeling, it probably isn't any of your business. Unless you are my husband or a very good friend, you will not be told. If you want my opinion on something, that is another matter, and depending on the subject, I will offer it.