Acorn in an Apple Suit

Some experts in human behavior will say that we are born predisposed to certain behavioral tendencies, others will argue that we are products of our environment, and there are those who say it's a mix of the two. I'm not an expert, however, I do have an opinion: genetics have a say in what happens, but environment has the final word. The acorn doesn't fall far from the oak tree (genetics), unless, that is, the oak tree is on a steep hill, in which case the acorn could roll downhill and end up under an apple tree (environment).

I don't know how I knew at a very young age that there was something about me that just wasn't quite right, but I knew just the same. I felt like an acorn in an apple suit. It was very uncomfortable, but I had to wear it anyway. As a child, you have no options. You do as your caregivers say you do. Because the ability to reason isn't in children much younger than six or seven, they believe what they are told. Their reflection of themselves (how they see themselves) is seen from the mirrors being held by those closest to them.) Are you still with me or did I lose you at "I felt like an acorn in an apple suit"? So, if a child sees themselves in the mirrors of others as not all that important or special or lovable, then they believe it.

I believed it.