On Being Me

There is something in me that does not want to accept the downside of being myself.  I long for the acceptance of others and the deeper connection that I hope comes from simply being who I really am, and encountering others as they are.  Yet, I am often dismayed when they or I fail to see each other as we see ourselves.  It seems to increase rather than diminish the distance between us, and I rebel at the pain of such encounters.