Happiness is within? My sisters thoughts...

[Maddie86]

this reminds me of one of the first people I ever came out to. I no longer talk to this person, she has issues that I tried really hard to help her with,  I was a very good friend to her but then she cut me off on the day my grandmother died and then a week later messaged me like nothing happened. anyways.... I was talking to this girl about transitioning and she told me that she thinks that she would still be herself no matter what body she was in. Such an ignorant statement to make, I really lost a lot of respect for her when she said that, she's the kind of person who has a really hard time seeing things from another's perspective, and then she throws a fit when people don't see things from her point of view. She used to be ridiculously late to things all the time and she didn't care, and when it happened she would always blame it on being female, claiming it was hormones, and she did that when she did lots of ditzy things too. um, no girl, it's just you being lame, most girls aren't like that at all!! One time I even told her about a trans rights march that I wanted to go to and she actually told me I should probably be farther into my transition before I become an activist. WTF?!?! sorry, this stirred up old memories and I needed to vent lol

I know your sister's opinion means something to you, but this kind of thing can be very hard for others to understand. Just stay true to your path and be yourself (inside and out!) and you'll be happier, and when she notices your happiness she may end up coming around on things

[Amoré]

Transition is so much different than a boob job or wanting to be skinny. You can't expect people to really understand what life is like for a transgender person if they are not transgender themselves. That is why there is so much biggots out there. They just don't get it. People like your sister don't get it my ex didn't get it also and my dad. People don't want to kill themselves over having small breasts or feel they can't get through a day anymore.They are self conscious or just want to be more attractive and improve their looks.You don't transition to improve looks or be more attractive. It doesn't bring that massive miss alignment that ->-bleeped-<- do between who you are and what you represent as to the world. You may be a woman having small breasts but you are a woman still and people see you as one. It is a different story when you are a woman inside and the world sees you as a man. It is worlds apart.

Your sister might feel her reasoning is strong. But it doesn't work for everyone. Especially not for people who is transgender have depression and is thinking they can't live like this anymore.

[kayla1618]

These things had to come first for me.
For most of my life I fought against my feelings, against myself. It wasn't until I came to accept my inner self that I started feeling right with showing the world my femininity.

So much this. ^

And here she is telling me I need to learn to accept myself. 
When, its precisely that self acceptance that set this whole thing in motion lol

[Paige33455]

There are many times one must accept their lot in life and in particular when there is nothing that can be done to correct or improve the situation, e.g., a terminal incurable illness.  In those cases, one has two choices: accept the situation as it is, learn to deal with the "fallout"  and try their best to be happy and thrive in spite of it; or don't make peace with it and live with misery, depression and a generally negative outlook. .

Fortunately, that's not the case with transgender issues. While accepting our situation and striving (struggling) to find happiness without addressing the source of the problem (dysphoria) is certainly one option, the question in my mind is WHY?  Why would anyone recommend acceptance alone when there are steps that can be taken that will help address the root cause.

Would your sister's advice change if she knew you had an injury that left untreated would cause you constant distress and misery but with positive action could be greatly improved or cured?

Seems to me she needs to be educated ......unless she is so self absorbed she's incapable of trying to understand gender dysphoria and the impact it has on life and well being.  Transition is about taking action to improve quality of life.