Where do the Mermaids stand?

I am reading Robert Fugham's book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. He is relating a story of watching a large group of children. He decided to play Giants, Wizards, and Dwarfs with them. After all the children were in their teams and ready to go he yells, "Decide now whether you're a Giant, Wizard, or a Dwarf. When he says this, one little girl comes up to him and asks him where the mermaids stand. "She did not relate to being a Giant, a Wizard, or a Dwarf. She knew her category. Mermaid. And was not about to leave the game and go over and stand against the wall where a loser would stand. She intended to participate, wherever Mermaids fit into the scheme of things. Without giving up dignity or identity. She took it for granted that there was a place for Mermaids and that I would know just where."

I often feel like a Mermaid. My beliefs and my views do not fit neatly into any of the boxes laid before me. The job I have chosen was not one that employers were hiring people to do. The way I choose to live my days is not the norm. So often I feel like a Mermaid, and I've had to figure out where to stand.

As I've done this, I have had the opportunity to stand with many different people. It has been interesting and I have learned a lot by doing it. I have had the opportunity to learn many things because I am standing with people who are different from me in some way.

While it isn't always comfortable, it is almost always interesting and informative. And the more uncomfortable I am, the more opportunity I have.

Are you a Mermaid? Embrace it! Know who you are and what you want. Then live that life and enjoy every minute of it - no matter where you have to stand.