The introduction of my grandfather’s book starts with this:

It is the first two decades of a man’s life that shape him. What he learns during this time of love and hate, justice and injustice, right and wrong — stays with him a lifetime.

I knew that this was true, but never really experienced it. While I grew up in a strict family, I was never abused or beaten while I grew up — sure, I was disciplined at times, but nothing beyond that.

However, I was made fun of relentlessly when I was younger, for various reasons — being gullible, being relatively nice to people in general, and most of all… probably just having one of those easily-teased personalities.

So imagine my surprise when I came to the realization that this harassment from 20+ years ago cost me my recent relationship of 5 years.

Oh, yes — I’m diggin’ the irony here. Mr. I-never-had-any-baggage taken captive by his own baggage.

I’ve started meeting with a shrinktherapist, so we’ll see how that goes.

How’s that for some unexpected insight?

🙂