Flavor of Leather - My different perspective

I recently have been asking those close to me that are my teachers and peers, one simple naked question: "What is Leather to you?"

There is this one girl I know, she's a dear friend and when I first met her she told me she "tastes" peoples energy and aura. I have come to a place where I now can fully understand this, where as before I only felt people, I have reached a place where I can now taste some, not all mind you, but some people.

Lately, I have been tasting people's leather, and the way I have gotten to do that has been by asking them that one simple question. In their answers they shared with me their own personal definitions and truths. Through this generous sharing, I was able to taste their "Leather".

Now there are a variety of flavors out there... I have only tasted a few thus far but I have really decided that I personally don't care for Patent Leather, it tastes fake. It has no flavor at all. It provides an illusion that thinks if it is just shiny enough, and sparkly enough you will be distracted by it's glimmer and it can never do any wrong. It will tell you all the pretty things you want to hear so that you too can become blinded in it's shared illusion.

One flavor that I have tasted that I really seem to like at the moment is Rawhide. Now there is something I can sink my teeth into! I can tug and pull and it is very hard to rip. It is thick and can pack a punch. It can kick some fucking ass. It is natural and authentic. Rawhide has integrity and honor. It doesn't need an illusion to show it's strength. It just simply needs to "be". Rawhide will leave a mark.

Yeah... my friends I will tell you this...

I aspire to be Rawhide

Great Expectations

I don't know, but the title sounded good. I think everyone has these great expectations though. I recently read a friends journal entry, and it's started me to ponder a few things...

I expect people to be human in their humanity. With free will humans are full of flaws as well as beauty in that perfection of their flaws.

Perfection you say? Yes! I believe that having flaws makes me perfect. It is what makes me... Kimmie, Kim, Kimberly, bitch, lover, slut... or better yet, simply Mee_Ow.

Getting comfortable with this notion has taken some time but I still wonder why it is many still strive to be "perfect" to someone else's standard? Why not create your own standard? Why adopt someone else's point of view of yourself?

Why not form your own opinion and have the faith that you will eventually find your bliss through that perspective?

It takes a lot of courage to be vulnerable. It takes strength beyond measure to be true to yourself first above all your peers. It takes being brave to form and voice your own opinion when it goes against the views of society. It takes honor & integrity to have the humility to admit openly when your opinion is wrong or has changed.

So why do most people think that showing any of the above characteristics is a weakness or less than desired?

The hardest part for me thus far has been letting go of expectations that I have unknowingly put upon others. To truly see my error in this, I feel, has been my greatest stride and has led me to be able to finally set down baggage that I have carried around with me from the age of 5 years old.

Letting go of them has given me freedom like I have never known. It has restored my youth, it has taught me how to accept love, it has healed what has ailed me for so many years.

All you have to do is give yourself that permission to be perfectly flawed.