I said that.

I like saying what I think.  I'm sure not everybody appreciates this attribute of mine.  In a meeting when nobody want to ask a question, even with people looking from side to side waiting for someone to ask the question, I'll raise my hand and ask it.  If they didn't really want us to ask a question, then they should not have opened the floor to questions.  If you open the door, I feel it's my obligation to walk through it.  I like to say things out loud that I know everyone is thinking, but some form of Minnesota nice takes over and it's not said.  Not that it would be a negative thing, but would it be the politically correct thing to say. 

It's also really fun to be with someone that appreciates that part of you and loves that boldness.  It makes it feel like a gift.  I know where the gift came from.  My Mom was like this too.  Unconventional and bold.  I think those things enabled me to dig my life back out after a divorce and now is helping me do that again after becoming a widow.  I don't want to let anyone hold me back from experiencing or enjoying something because of their perception of how I should act.  Being with someone who appreciates all of your personality allows life to be experienced fully.  Nothing holds you back from being all of you and not caring if someone doesn't particularly like you.  

If someone doesn't like me, I'm OK with that.  I don't want them to be mean to me, but they don't have to like me.  I think they're missing out, because I'm very loyal and overall a pretty good friend.  I've also found that assertive doesn't always play well with people who want to control you (first marriage) either.  But when you get freed from control, it's so liberating to let it all out and just get to be your bold little self.  I felt all empowered and like I could just take on anything.  Then you meet someone else and your inner power is just part of you again so that person can't imagine you without it.  That's the injustice of going into a relationship with another controller, you don't get to live with inner power released or you let that controller push it back down inside.

So I'm going to keep being the person who asks the questions, pushes the envelope, and says the bold thing.  I'm OK with that. . .