Hello,

My name is Daniel and I've been observing this forum for a few months.   A little about me.   I've known from a very young age that I was different and used to play a female role in games with my cousins.  I was raised in the far north in a very small town - we used to say there was 9 months of winter and three months of bad snowmobiling.  My family is of a French Catholic background.  These two factors meant that I never heard or had a clue of the term transgender until much later in life.  However, without knowing the term I knew I was not like the other boys.  As I grew up I realized I was attracted to girls but I always wished I could be one.   I was 6'3"/240Lbs and built like an NFL linebacker so I never acted on those feelings.  I love physical activity so in High School and College I played football and rugby but never really fit in with team mates.  I found myself hanging around other groups that matched my personality and truth be told, although I was good in those sports I always considered myself more of a nerd.  Through my formative years I did not know why I was different but I new I was so I never quite fit into any group and therefore existed among and between various groups.  I'm very much a glass is half full kind of person so I always looked at this as a positive.  I got along with everyone.  Over the years, I came to understand the feminine nature inside me but due to my physical stature I didn't feel like I could act on it outwardly.  I also like to be good at whatever I try so If I don't think that's possible I look for other means to achieve my goals.  It caused me to look inwards and reflect on my feelings.  I don't mean do make this a statement on anyone's path but for my path I realized the inner person is where the true character lies without regard to the outward appearance.  At that point I was able to understand the benefits of combination of the physical form I was born with and the feminine nature I knew I was inside.  I don't belive in regrets - only lessons learned that make be a better person.  In my case I tried to turn the disappointment I felt into a positive.  I believe this combination has allowed me to accomplish many things I would not have been able to had I tried to follow one path alone.   A few years ago I left a career as a Military Officer and opened my own small business.  That transition has enabled to explore my feelings in more depth and that is how I recently discovered Susan's Place.  I have enjoyed reading many of the wonderful posts on this forum and it has really helped me fill in the blanks.  I am discovering why I have always felt the way I have and I am very greatful I discovered this "place".  I don't know that I will every make any outward changes but the good people of this forum have given me some great lessons that i'm Sure will lead to a deeper understanding of who I am.

I know my path is very different from many of you.  Again, this is my story.   In the end,  I really just want to say "THANK YOU!" to the posters here and encourage you to continue to share your insights with the rest of us.  It has made an impact on me and I'm sure many others.

Thank You

Daniel

@Djc
Dear Daniel   
I am so glad that you have become a member of Susan's Place and that you have shared your interesting and detailed introduction posting with other members here on the Forums. 

I am thinking that you may have lots more questions and concerns, this is the right place for you to be to find out what others have done that may have been in your circumstances.
Be aware that there are a lot of members here that can identify with your situation as you feel free to share it.

Please allow me to warmly WELCOME you to Susan's Place. 
You will find this a safe and friendly place to share with others  and to read about others similar trials, tribulations, and successes.
It is nice that you had signed up so you can share with others and involve yourself with some give and take with other like-minded members.  When frustrated or if you have successes you can share it here if you wish and receive support from others and offer support to others. ....
***It's a very good chance that you might find that you will make some new friends here. 

Please come in and continue to be involved at your own pace. 
I have included Important LINKS that will tell you about Susan's Place.  Included there is information about the site that will help you navigate around and best utilize the features here.   
Please look closely at the LINKS in RED, answers are there to many questions that new members ask.

Again, Welcome to Susan's Place.
Danielle

Here are some links to the site rules and stuff that all new members should be familiar with:

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)	Cautionary Note
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy	Membership Agreement

Hi Daniel 

Welcome to Susan's Place    Glad to have you here, join on in the fun

Hugs

V M

Hey Daniel!

Nice attitude Keep going, you're doing great. Welcome here and have fun

Welcome! Were glad to have you!

Everyone's path is different. You have to decide what you need to be happy. And I must say, you have a great attitude. I wish I could look at the positives the way you do. Forget glass half full or empty, I always just saw it sad shattered and broken. But I'm putting the glass back together for the first time in my life and I'm seeing the positives more and more.

Again, welcome to our little corner of the interwebs [emoji6]


for every lie I unlearn, I learn something new ...

Thank You for your replies.  I only hope I can offer a word of encouragement from time to time.