I find that my "intensity" has mellowed over the years. When I was younger, I had an annoying obsession with correcting other people and did not suffer what I perceived to be "fools" lightly. During my first career, I was surrounded by other bright people -- I would even say "competitively smart" people. Eventually, I looked around that none of the people who were ahead of me in that particular rat-race had lives that I wanted for myself. I said good-bye to that life (major existential meltdown at 30) and much of the behavior that went with it many years ago now.
I find that having kids and dealing with school has necessitated another major readjustment. I need to work with a much broader spectrum of people. I respect that other people's kids do not have the same experiences and needs as my kids. I don't think that the whole school needs to revolve around the gifted program. At the same time, I don't hide who I am. If I have a strong opinion, I voice it and usually can bring others around to my way of thinking. I know that some people at school are intimidated by the fact that I am open about my own giftedness -- still don't understand why this is such a big deal, you'd swear I was admitting to some horrible disease. Sometimes I do feel isolated and that other people don't get me. At the same time, I just don't want to waste my time pretending to be something I am not.
BTW, I also get accused of being an intellectual in my book club (even though I tend to be the one who recommends things that are smart-ass and satirical, instead of DEEP).
