Anti-chameleon

I don’t know why I have this rebellious nature. I tend to want to be the opposite of my surroundings.

At serious formal events, I can’t stop laughing inside. At crazy festivals, I want to hide and read a book.

My ambitious friends bring out the slacker in me. My lethargic friends make me feel like superman.

When I moved to Boston, as a teen, and everyone was wearing black, I dressed in only white. I remind new-agey people of the scientific method.

Is it a desire for balance? To represent what seems under-represented in this situation? Is it my love of seeing the other side?

I hear I’m not supposed to react like this. I’m supposed to be the same, no matter what’s around.

But I’m not the same from day to day, even when alone. I rebel against myself, too. If I’ve been thinking or acting one way for too long, I try another way.

It’s worked pretty well for me so far. I’m super-motivated by the horror of seeing the opposite of what I want.

• Seeing someone waste their talent motivates me to get back to practicing and creating.
• Seeing a person in horrible health motivates me to be healthy.
• Seeing someone freaking out motivates me to be calm.
• Seeing someone being selfish motivates me to be generous.

The list goes on. It’s been net positive. So, I’m not fighting it for now.

(P.S. I’ll never argue against preserving nature.)