Sarcasm has become more than just a tool for you. It’s something you strongly identify with. When a defense mechanism becomes part of someone’s identity, it can feel empowering and even clarifying, like a lens that helps make sense of the world, but when someone says “This isn’t just something I use. It's me.” that can limit growth quite a bit. It turns a flexible skill into a rigid trait, and while you say you’ve mastered your emotions and where to aim them, the intensity and tone of your reply suggest there’s still a lot of energy being spent defending that stance.
When someone projects confidence while also reacting strongly, it usually points to something unresolved under the surface. The projection at the end “Obviously you don’t know you.” is a good example. It redirects instead of reflecting. You might truly be self-aware, but self-awareness also includes the ability to entertain challenge without immediately deflecting or attacking.
I don't project confidence. So say all my friends.
I use my tools when I need them. I have the reign on them, they do not control ME.
I am open minded to pretty much everything, unless it involves harm. And then it depends on the situation.
And I'd be a useless POS if I didn't defend myself and take a stance on my beliefs and self-worth.
And if you don't like statements such as "Obviously you don't know you", then don't dive headfirst into someones psyche that you don't know and have never met.
And beleive me...........if I "attacked", you would know it. And your statement "self-awareness also includes the ability to entertain challenge without immediately deflecting or attacking" can be taken as goading and coersion.
You want to talk, fine. I can gab for hours.
You want to start poking a hornets nest for no reason. Be ready to get stung.
I'm southern, this is how we talk down here. REAL southerners that is.
I'm sophisticated and intelligent enough that I know when to use the tools I have. Whether that be supremely civil at a dinner party, or slinging the mud at a political rally. It took MANY years for me to figure myself out, and I'm not going to backslide for anybody. There's no way in hell, heaven, or earth that I'm going through all of that again.
And just FYI, I've helped people along my private journey help themselves, by giving them the tools they need to figure themselves out and find their place on this planet. So, if you want a shot of my confidence..........I know it works, because they've all become more solid, grounded, self-empowering people.
