Do your loved ones think you're nuts?

[Allee]

I was fortunate enough to be born into a huge family of animal lovers. I had to find other ways to express my craziness. My husband wasn't quite that lucky, but he caught on quick. I can't think of a time when I ever lived in a home with no pets. I can't imagine life without my companions.

I never allowed concern for what others thought of me to override my opinion of myself. It's worked for me.

 

[Runnergirl]

I don't care what people say or think, I admit I am the crazy animal lady. I grew up on a farm with every animal imaginable, and was great with any kind of bird. (I could tame wild doves, quail, chickens, house sat ostriches, and parrots)and grew past the funny looks from kids that didn't have animals. I was somewhat surprised when I fell in love with parrots, though. I get very excited when I talk randomly about one of my birds and I find someone with enough interest to listen.
That being said, my bf tolerates my birds. He enjoys them, but doesn't love them, and I wish that was different.

 

[veimar]

Wow, so many crazy ppl here!! So I'm not the only one! LOL
My mom told me today that she read somewhere that there is no idea to argue with people of different "inner structure", and a smart person should just admit them with respect. She seems even enjoying the birds now when she realizes that I'm just have that different "inner structure". I think it's a bit difficult for older people to welcome and respect something that doesn't belong to their set of values.

 

[Birdman666]

I was fortunate enough to be born into a huge family of animal lovers. I had to find other ways to express my craziness. My husband wasn't quite that lucky, but he caught on quick. I can't think of a time when I ever lived in a home with no pets. I can't imagine life without my companions.

I never allowed concern for what others thought of me to override my opinion of myself. It's worked for me.

Exactly! Enjoy what you enjoy. Live life on your own terms. Leave the negativity behind... You can't always avoid it, but you don't necessarily have to listen to it inside your own head. People will say $hit. They are often overly fond of their own loud opinions. It's called elevating themselves by putting someone else down.

Water off a duck... I'm not you, pal! I'm me...

You don't have to get in their faces. You don't have to cause a scene. This isn't a public debate. (There's that teach the pig to sing thing again...) No drama required. But you don't have to listen to them either. Not valid for you is simply not valid...

It only has validity if you give up your personal power, and give their opinion merit.

 

[Birdman666]

most of the people who think i'm nuts do so before they even realize i have birds... :32:

lol to that one :d. I can relate...

:d believe me! We already knew that about you... :d

 

[4dugnlee]

Absolutely! But then my mom already thought I was nuts before I got the birds. She doesn't think animals should be inside. Well with 4 dogs and 3 cats, before I got the fids, she really thought I was nuts. She rarely visits my home because, no matter how much I vacuum/clean, there is always pet hair! Oh well, so be it. I don't force her to have animals in her home, so she shouldn't think she can force me to not have them in mine! She actually is more tolerable about the birds, except the noise.