Later, I learned to relax and be “good enough”. Whew, what a relief. By the way, did you ever notice “perfect” people are not really very fun to be around. And, hey, isn’t fun a great benefit of walking the face of the planet!

We are multi-faceted and life contains such richness. Our uniqueness is a tapestry, an interwoven blending of qualities. We are alive, not static, which is why any one label will never adequately describe who we are.

Yet, as you so poignantly remind us, certain roles (labels) bring us great joy and pleasure. I would like to have these labels: authentic, a lover of life, a friend to and lover of children, an irreverent playful wild woman, a person who plays well with others, a person who leaves others feeling a little more joy-filled after our encounter, a contributer, an uplifter.

Thank you for your contribution and for guiding us into exploration. I always get a lot from your words.

@Nicki, I hear you. Some labels will never sound good to me even though to some, it’s the only label they’ll see attached to me. Will others ever understand (or care) why I reject these labels? And you’re right, what about those who don’t have the luxury of choosing their label? To be able to do so is an immense privilege not to be taken for granted. Still, having experienced being defined by others taught me to reclaim parts of my identity that can be distilled into a label so that I can effectively define myself. I think blogging helps with this in a way. Thanks.

@Keith, but if they’re calling you good labels, then your mother should hear : ) Thanks.

@Sara, I love how you said that: the hub of the wheel while others circling it may remain or change. And I love that you gave voice to the shy ones — the ones we keep for ourselves until they’re ready to debut. I can surely relate! And the term “thinking adventures” — it so good it sends me on one right now! Thanks.

@Rudri, welcome to The Halfway Point! You’re right, they do perpetuate stereotypes. I felt that way for a long time until I saw the first copy of the magazine called “Bitch” ten years ago or so. I loved how they reclaimed the word as an empowering one and it really helped me see labels differently and at times, defiantly. Thanks for stopping by.

Others circle around the hub, sometimes changing out and sometimes not. In addition, to add to the confusion, I have labels that are expressed out loud and those that I keep to myself; these are the shy ones I’m not quite ready to expose to the world:~)

I also agree with Eva. You do pick very interesting concepts and then make them into thinking adventures. I loved this chance to explore the concept of “labels” and how you made me see them in different ways. Thank you:~)