girl, I enjoyed doing all the things that boys do. Wanted to join army...my father was aghast when he came to know about that...wanted to distribute newspapers or do any job to earn at a very young age....in India, girls are raised in a very stereotype ways and are expected to (or atleast were expected to behave in a very docile/submissive way around 30 yrs. back). I started working at a very early age and many a times, was the only female in a crowd of men..never did typical things. Even now as I approach to be a mother in law....people expect to see me talk, dress up and behave in a certain manner, but I am what I am...I dress up for my comfort and style and do things which go with my overall purpose of life...!!! Thank you all for your supportive and thoughtful comments, and for sharing your own experiences. It wasn't my intention to focus on the negative, but sometimes looking at those early influences can help us sort out our own voice from the rest. The important thing is that we re-examine any beliefs that are holding us back or diminishing our lives, and pull them up, roots and all, just like a weed. Well said. I resonate with your post on many levels. For me, it seems too late to learn how to stand out. The message of needing to blend in is too ingrained. But I rebel in little ways, for example by