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In the middle ages, even until the Elizabethan times, people decided who was important or good based upon their wealth and class. That mindset haunts us even today in our (so called) "developed" society. Here I have listed (exaggerated) misconceptions people may have of me that i wish to refute.

My family keeps our house warm. We do not do this to make other families jealous, but because it is how we are comfortable. (Did you also know that half of the warmth comes from a wood stove in the basement that doesn't increase our heating bill?)

I wear gold and silver jewelry. I do not do this to show people that I am rich, but because I like jewelry. (Most of the gold is gold-plated anyway.)

I buy DVDs rather than renting them, not to create and impressive DVD collection, but b/c i like to watch movies a lot more than just once or twice.

I take Tylenol rather than generic brand acetaminophen b/c I think it's safer, not just b/c it's name brand.

When I'm listening to my iPod, I don't take it out of my pocket to show it off. I take it out so that when I start singing along and dancing to my music, people can see my music player and not think I'm crazy.

I sometimes feel uncomfortable when people start talking about money or family problems, not b/c I'm prejudiced against them for it, but b/c I can't relate, and as such I feel really spoiled in comparison.

I don't really know what else to say on the subject, so that's all I will say. Perhaps I will add more later. I just wanted to get that out of my system. It's just weird that something that existed way back in the olden days still has power over our society and our friendships today. I wish it didn't. Most of the people who know me well enough would never accuse me of flaunting my wealth, but I just wanted to be sure that everyone knew that I'm not that kind of person. I don't want to be a bad person. I try not to take things for granted, but sometimes I do. I have more than most people will ever have, but there's still more I want. I guess that make me a selfish person. I don't want anyone to be jealous of me, because those of you who have to work hard will end up being stronger and better off than me in the long run. I don't think I'm better than anyone else b/c of what I have.