Being from small-town West Virginia
I think being from here has helped to teach me some humility. My tendencies toward grandiosity and pretension would probably have become insufferable if I had been from somewhere big and important and moved in those circles, and especially if I had ever become famous by some weird fluke. My didacticism would try to override almost everyone. I’m bad enough as it is. But when you’re from small-town West Virginia, no one really takes you seriously. Some people assume you’re an ignorant hick, at least until they get to know you. Or, they get to know you, think you’re okay, and then find out where you’re from and wonder why you aren’t a hick.
I didn’t used to feel this way, but now I like humility and insignificance. No great expectations around here. The only pressure is what you place on yourself. It’s a good place to hide, to observe in secret, to relax. No one cares what kind of car you drive or what kind of clothes you wear. In fact, the fancier you are the more you stand out. I rarely have the nerve to say “I’m a poet” to anyone around here. Even to myself. It sounds too pretentious. Insignificance is a kind of strength.
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7 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Yes, this is the eternal dilemma. Is reaching higher equal to pretentiousness? If we don't reach higher, will we never get higher?
I think it's better to be grandiose and pretentious than to make constant efforts to avoid such things, because the avoidance ends up being a shell in which we retreat like a tortoise.
Ellatynemouth
Level 8
May 21, 2018
1
I don't feel I'm avoiding those things. I just feel that I'm seeing their limitations and downsides. And I think that's good. I feel that humility is a check on the extremes those things can lead to.
@tnorman1236
I agree. But I think it can swing too far the other way which might stifle our creativity and confidence. I like this list...
@Ellatynemouth Thank you. I can always use some help.
Nothing wrong with humility. I think we would better off with more of that. I'm from a small PA mining town where every local says "youse guys" . Actually I was born in Turkey to a military family so when I really want to appear confused I just say I'm a Jewish, Native American, English/French girl born in Turkey and now a Buddhist.
AmelieMatisse
Level 8
May 21, 2018
1
Blending in is comfortable.
sassygirl3869
Level 9
May 21, 2018
1
Yep.
I let people think I'm a hick, after a little while they discover I am smarter than they thought and possibly brighter than they are.
I have nothing to prove to anyone other than myself. If I am smarter then them, it's just a fact of nature and nothing more to brag about than what color your hair is. It just is.
MacTavish
Level 7
May 21, 2018
1
Folks can assume all they want and they do, based on looks, accent, verbosity, etc.
Having lived all over with all types, you can't judge by those things.
We can only be the best us we can.
Slappy_Longarms
Level 7
May 21, 2018
3
True.
hmm, you look more like a Bard anyway imo 
bbyrd009
Level 7
May 21, 2018
2
Thanks?
@tnorman1236 ha, yes
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