I was probably around the age of 3 or 4 and i was in my preschool classroom. There was this little wooden house inside of the classroom and some of the kids decided they wanted to play "house". So my classmates elected themselves as the mom, dad, kids, etc. I forgot what they elected me as, but i was not happy about it. I refused to play by their rules and it resulted in them telling the teacher on me. Which then resulted in me sitting in "time-out" at a table by myself. Its like i can see myself, this little girl sitting at a table full of anger. Since at the time i only had a younger brother, this was one of the first experiences i had with other children. Ha, looking back i'd like to think my personality wasn't the same as it was then. Although i don't need a "time-out" to get along with people now, part of me is still a rebel. I like to have my own beliefs and I'm a true believer in standing up for myself and what i want. This might sound insane, but i still connect with that angry little girl who didn't get her way. Only now instead of feeling trapped and angry, i can see my independence in a more positive light.
As you've grown to become the person you are today, you have evidently become more mature and now you know when and how you can control your feelings to avoid coming off as an aggressive person. I feel like as people become older, most (if not all) should have at least a little connection to the main traits of character/personality that they had at a younger age, unless an external pressure (i.e. health problems, big family problems) may have drastically changed them.
I remember playing "house" or "doctor" and if I didn't get to be the character I wanted, I would pout and petulantly refuse to play, as if that made the other kids sad. I'm glad you can see things in a better light. =)
I had a similar thing happen to me too in pre-school except I was not even included in the fun and I just simply walked away feeling left out. But I remember feeling some what jealous and bitter because I wanted to be accepted by the other girls and feel special.
My earliest memory was from pre-school too, though it was quite a different one. I guess as we grow up, reality suddenly kicks in one day and we realize that we're no longer in pre-school anymore...we're forced to be more mature in following the 'rules' set by society, but sadly we often lose the innocence and the care-free life that we used to have. That said, it's great that you're able appreciate your indepenence and able to see things in a more positive light! :]
