Ok, I’m getting really tired of this. I mean, who do people think they are? I am my own person. I can make my own decisions. If I choose to do something, wear something, style my hair a certain way, take part in an activity, or believe in something specific then that has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU!

*deep breath*

So, I’m growing my beard out a bit. Just the part on my chin. Sort of like a really long goatee. I’ve always had a beard, goatee, mustache, etc. of some kind since at least high school. And today I get this:

“So how long are you going to let that grow? You know, you’re a good lookin’ guy, but sometimes you guys [cover up with these fashions].”

My response was, “I like it.”

“I know you do,” he says with a smirk of derision on his face.

WTF

Let me grow out my beard if I want to. I’ve met more people who think it looks good than I have who think it looks bad. And you know who the people are that tell me it looks bad? My parents. Of course, I don’t expect random strangers on the street to walk up to me and give me hard lined critiques about my facial hair. But that’s besides the point.

The point is just shut up and let me be me. For Pete’s sake, there’s a plethora of activities, beliefs, thoughts, actions, fashion choices, and other aspects of people all around me that I think are just plain stupid. But you know what I don’t do? I don’t walk up to them and subtly insult them by telling them they look so much better when I dress the way that my parents want me to dress. And yes, I made that sentence about me. From both perspectives.

So, please, take this little story and hold it close. Think about it and the impact you may have on other people by expressing your opinion about their personal choices. Sure, some choices are inherently dangerous, and you should let people you love know that you are concerned.

But I doubt my beard is going to maim me any time soon.

-Diggs out

P.S. – I didn’t get into all the psychological aspects of this… but there are many.