I learned later in life that although I had a friendly and respectful demeanor, some saw me as intimidating. But let me explain two ways this has worked in my life. Throughout my school years, I was usually the tallest in my class. In the fifth grade I was 5'7" and in my 7th grade year I was 6'1". But I wasn't large. At 6'1" I weighed 140 lbs when I entered high school. Some of the students may have seen me physically intimidating, but I was a pleasant student and I hope they saw me as nice.
Now this second reason is where the intimidation factor came in. I became fascinated with bowling in my early middle school years. Bowling alleys thrilled me to no end. I loved the mechanics and sport itself. I watched the Pro Bowlers Tour every chance I had. Those pro bowlers were almost like family to me. So, as this was an intense interest, I got good at it. In fact, the first year I bowled on a youth league, I maintained the high average, high game, and high series. Throughout all of my years bowling in school leagues through my graduation, I maintained those records. I later learned that other bowlers were intimidated by me. When I bowled, I was usually so absorbed in the interest of bowling that I may have seemed distant from the other competitors.
The same became true in band. I loved the trombone and became the best in my school at it. I turned professional by the time I was in 9th grade. I learned that some of the older high school trombonists were intimidated by me.
But I was nice. I never meant to intimidate. But I add my story because it adds variety to the ways in which intimidation can work.
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"My journey has just begun."
21 Oct 2014, 3:10 am
