Big_John: I find it is not whether or not people step on you or try to step on you, but how you handle the situation when it occurs. When I was younger I would get angry, get into fights, or verbally fight back when it happenned. Today I don't let other's control my behavior. I choose to either stand up or allow the people to walk over me. It is my choice. There is nothing wrong, weak or weird about standing up or laying down. All great "men" throughout history have allowed themselves to be walked on at one time or the other. When I look into the mirror in the morning I see the same person each day and it is not based on how other's treat me. I guess I'm saying that I try to control my own life. Give it a try and don't worry about what others are doing. JMO....
Oh smart post. I agree completely and that is the way I lead my life, I spent years defending what and who I was and not because I had to, but because I thought I had to, and when my husband blamed me for everything in the breakdown of our relationship.
Good call John.