Yeah - I learned the "shield" early on. "Sticks 'n Stones may
   break my bones" - I chanted that to myself in the 3rd grade
   after some mean girls called me a nerd... repeatedly.

   By 4th grade, I had my shield up and ready and while I felt the
   'sting' of name-calling, it didn't devastate me anymore. I
   wouldn't let it. Developed a few masks since, but I try to be
   authentic through the masks. Lots of layers.