I think you’re close, there, but all I meant is that “work” can be a chore or a joy, depending on how you view it and your passion for doing it. I love what I do, but some days it’s a joy and some days it’s a chore. The trick is to remember what makes it a joy and keep that passion burning.

Taking bullying with grace doesn’t mean being anyone’s doormat, but that’s the hardest thing to explain to most kids (indeed, most adults, too). It means you defend yourself as needed, but you don’t stoop to the bully’s level to retaliate or seek revenge. Because THAT is about YOU, not the bully. Learning to be firm and calm in the face of bullying - to handle things without letting your anger and frustration control YOU - that’s tough for anyone. I think bullies, on the whole, are exceedingly insecure and unhappy people. They’ve found that the only way to get attention is through negative behavior, and they’re among the most emotionally needy people out there. They can also be among the most dangerous, but so can people who bottle up their hurt and rage when they’re victims of a bully.

Great to see you here in this interview. I have read your blog and you do have great articles in it. Great job and keep going.

Cheers,
Vincent

You are right, I really should have said “something so caring.” So the difference between work and a chore is what exactly? A chore is something you have to do but hate doing and work is something you love to do and do anyway?

Yes, I know how you feel about being “out of step with your peers.” It’s not that they don’t respect me, because they do, we just don’t share the same views about life - yet.

Ninety six? Wow, that shows determination!

To your outstanding success

Bradley Will

“Something that long”? I’m a writer, Dan. I just don’t know when to quit. Actually, I do - when it’s part of the job. When I’m paid to write concisely. After five, though, I can cut loose. No matter how old you are, you still need fun. You do what you love to do, and it may be work, but it’s never a chore.

I remember how I felt at twelve and thirteen. I was intelligent, mature, silly, quirky, a little nerdy, a daydreamer, an old soul, a good kid, and mostly out of step with my peers. We shouldn’t LIMIT people due to their age. We shouldn’t limit ourselves with such silly notions, either. When I was taking my first college classes at age 12, there was another student on campus - he was remarkable because he was taking college classes at a youthful 96.

Specifically, I’m not sure I know which mistakes you are referring to, but if you would like to explain, I’m all ears (or eyes)!

You make connections with those you can actually connect with. Holly, it is obvious to me that we can connect on many levels. I feel like everyone needs to go through a period of time where they have to go against the world - and not just because it builds character. It’s because the world is a tremendous place, and it take no prisoners.

Talking on stereotypes against teens was <a href=”http://firstofseven.wordpress.com/2009/06/08/a-bit-on-stereotypes-beliefs-and-social-conditioning-or-on-dan-miranda/”<this post by Simon Lawry. He really covered that we, as people, are conditioned to believe that the average thirteen year old is a snob, immature and always wrong. He claims that we are wrong to believe this.

I did see the comment by the teacher. But I want you - and everybody - to know that I come on to the Internet with the idea that I am going to belittled, going to be tried to taken down. It’s a natural initial reaction.

My parents do look over my shoulder. They are my executives looking down on me judging my work at every bend and although I don’t particularly like this policy, I think it’s one that needs to be kept until I am old enough to settle on my own.