Coping has so many different faces. I have many ways of coping but unfortunately it's many times internalizing that helps me. I have found that I have a tough temper and that I can be very defensive. To handle that best, I need to bite my tongue and walk away. I have grown up in a way that I had no one to stick up for me and look out for me. I went to school that was very different from my lifestyle and me. I learned very quickly that if I do not earn my respect and stop people in their tracks, they would hurt me. I became very defensive. Things at home were not that easy either. I began to be very edgy and always tried to be ahead of the game. I had to protect myself emotionally more than anything, especially since I am extremely sensitive. I learned to play with words in a way that I had my respect and I would still respect others. I have always been and always will be the fighter for the underdog. Only difference is that now I have more tact about handling situations. I knew how hard it is when people are out to get you or even taunt you for their fun's sake. Therefore, I have always stood up for the weak, weary, and lost. The children, adolescents, sick, elderly, mentally disabled, disabled, weak, and afraid: incapable of really taking care or standing up for themselves. I always tried to protect them and teach them that they do not have to allow people to take advantage of them, that it is not okay.
             I still tend to get myself in trouble with those that I am very close to. I have completely let my guard down with certain individuals and am in a very vulnerable position for that. I tend to be a lot more defensive when in an argument or in a discussion due to be incredible sensitive and at the mercy of my opponent. I have to really calm down and think about the situation and understand that though the person I am arguing with is someone that is trying to explain their point of view,
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