"The end result I believe is the same, we all seek to be ourselves and be happy. But, our definition of happiness and acceptance differs."
Somewhat, but for me, it is two different issues. I can be happier, more useful, productive and a lot more secure in myself with my body image straightened out, thats the primary objective, after all, to be comfortable with what I am and not at odds with my inside and out.
Underneith it all though, is wanting to just be left alone with it. To not be pointed out as "different" or questioned about what it is I feel? Though I could care less what the boys think about it, I do care about the acceptance of females as a true part. I can belong in my mind forever, but that does not make me happy in any real way. I want the recognition and nurture of those I identify with. I need that, If acceptance is not granted because I don't cut it, then thats that, but if the only reason is because I'm "different" it's like being crushed, 3rd class, while I'm barely handling 2nd class just yet while never taking a back seat.
And then too, I'm heavily bought into the binary system, so it's 100% or it'll never feel right. OK, so 100% is asking more then is possible in relaionships with others, but I'm far from being an island, I need to be shared with and loved with, I need people, female people, Women, who can go past facts and figures and just see the ideal, with the reality to realize that the ideal is subject to imperfection. I've sealed out so many things and avoided or neglected meaningful relationships in the past, just so I could concentrate on myself and not worry about them. I need others in my life, those I can share with, learn with, experience with and grow with. And these arn't common everyday people you find wherever you look.
I got no idea how to put a description to it, but down deep, I need that simple recognition from those I would be a part of to be complete, so no, Self Acceptance is a primary goal, but once it is achieved, it demands recogniton of others to fulfill itself.
I said before about only having it here and there. It's all in the circles. All know I was born male, I've been to public for it to be otherwise and when it gets brought up I feel empty, because i'm right back where I started, different, and not in a way I would want. What others think can be very real to you 4years, it can make all the difference in being there as a true participantor, or, a spectator. To me, simply knowing it just isn't enough, it is the acknowledgement of it by those who matter that makes it all come together.
Terri