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I am about to attend our high school reunion. This one covers 50 years of history, and sad to say, I attended in the earlier years.
Fortunately, my group of best buds was pretty much intact when we were in high school. Most of us went to this school, and therefore we have company at the event this weekend. It might be a little more awkward to show up on your own. One worries that others won't recognize you. After all, we have changed. Some not so much, but most have. We witnessed that at our 25th anniversary, as some people just didn't look the same. Now add 25 years to the mix.
I think many of us are self-conscious that way. We want to look and feel young(er). In most cases it's no one's fault that we age more than others. Often it's hereditary. Sure, some lead faster, less healthy lives, but it does not always explain the transformation.
But truthfully, many of us have changed much more so, in personality and confidence and even in terms of achievement. As is often the case, high school had its share of jocks and good-looking folks, who got way too much attention! But move the clock ahead, to now, and I have a strong belief that the nerds ended up more successful, and many of the less prominent people ended up being the true stars. It's often about insecurities of teenage years, and about the way we grow and develop into adults. And sometimes the ones who were hidden from the view, used their teenage years as a stepping stone to better things.
I was somewhere in the middle back then, based on my interpretation, but I was certainly a little weak in confidence. It impacted my performance, and my social life. It prevented me from joining school activities, including some sports. But as the years progressed, from University to the career world, I did transform from my sensitivities. I became a social person. I had a reasonably successful management career. I became a decent public speaker. I had a number of sports achievements. And luckily for me, I ended up with amazing family and friends! (Sorry...I am not boasting, but trying to relate my own journey, as it relates to confidence and other similar characteristics, and that there is hope for folks who have some issues along the way).
And this is not to begrudge anyone, but I don't think high school days represent who we end up being. As I reminisce, I wish I had done things differently, and had more belief in myself. BUT, in the end, like many others, I grew from those days.
I guess it matters not that there was some of that "we/they" mentality back in our school days. I don't like it when I recall how some kids got the short end of the stick. But at the same time, it really doesn't amount to a whole lot, if the "they's" progressed past the "we's". It's so interesting, because many of the quieter ones ended up being the leaders.
One last thought.....I wonder what some of those pretty girls back then are thinking about some of us guys now!!! "Hmmmm...maybe I should have given that guy a chance."
Maybe not.....
Fortunately, my group of best buds was pretty much intact when we were in high school. Most of us went to this school, and therefore we have company at the event this weekend. It might be a little more awkward to show up on your own. One worries that others won't recognize you. After all, we have changed. Some not so much, but most have. We witnessed that at our 25th anniversary, as some people just didn't look the same. Now add 25 years to the mix.
I think many of us are self-conscious that way. We want to look and feel young(er). In most cases it's no one's fault that we age more than others. Often it's hereditary. Sure, some lead faster, less healthy lives, but it does not always explain the transformation.
But truthfully, many of us have changed much more so, in personality and confidence and even in terms of achievement. As is often the case, high school had its share of jocks and good-looking folks, who got way too much attention! But move the clock ahead, to now, and I have a strong belief that the nerds ended up more successful, and many of the less prominent people ended up being the true stars. It's often about insecurities of teenage years, and about the way we grow and develop into adults. And sometimes the ones who were hidden from the view, used their teenage years as a stepping stone to better things.
I was somewhere in the middle back then, based on my interpretation, but I was certainly a little weak in confidence. It impacted my performance, and my social life. It prevented me from joining school activities, including some sports. But as the years progressed, from University to the career world, I did transform from my sensitivities. I became a social person. I had a reasonably successful management career. I became a decent public speaker. I had a number of sports achievements. And luckily for me, I ended up with amazing family and friends! (Sorry...I am not boasting, but trying to relate my own journey, as it relates to confidence and other similar characteristics, and that there is hope for folks who have some issues along the way).
And this is not to begrudge anyone, but I don't think high school days represent who we end up being. As I reminisce, I wish I had done things differently, and had more belief in myself. BUT, in the end, like many others, I grew from those days.
I guess it matters not that there was some of that "we/they" mentality back in our school days. I don't like it when I recall how some kids got the short end of the stick. But at the same time, it really doesn't amount to a whole lot, if the "they's" progressed past the "we's". It's so interesting, because many of the quieter ones ended up being the leaders.
One last thought.....I wonder what some of those pretty girls back then are thinking about some of us guys now!!! "Hmmmm...maybe I should have given that guy a chance."
Maybe not.....
but we all still stayed in our cliques so it was just like being back in high school, we definitely hadn't matured yet... Maybe the 20th will be different 
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