Wednesday, February 25, 2015

I am Not a Sheep. Are You?



Dear loving people,

Only you know what’s right for you, so ignore everybody else. This includes family, friends and the smartest pundit in town. Agree? Nobody can tell you if what you’re doing is good, meaningful or worthwhile. The more compelling the path, the more lonely it is.” Says Hugh MacLeod.

Most of us are unknowingly trained to NOT trust in our own judgment.  Our parents made decisions for us, our teachers told us how things should be done, and society has its own rules on what is right and wrong. After being beaten down by authority for years on end, many people just become one of the sheep.  They follow the status quo.  It’s easier that way.

You have to realize you don't have to fit in. People are very insecure. They think if they aren't like other people, then the other people will not accept them. Being ferociously honest here, sometimes that is the case. But if people don't like you for who you are, should you even want to be friends with them? I think you should show your true colors. You like to paint secretly when no one is looking? Do you like to dance like a fool in your room with the door locked? Take a big bite of courage and get ready to show the world! Join a dance club. Or hey, one day when you're bored, go dancing in the streets. It’s your world.

At all times, be who you want to be. "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." emphasizes Henry Thoreau and don't let a single soul stop you from doing what you want. Be free; be yourself. Dance in the rain, sit like a statue at the popular squares, attempt to fly. You are absolutely free to do whatever you want, just so long as you don't hurt anyone in the process. It’s important that you stop caring what people think. I admit, I'm guilty of the "Oh my God I love this shirt but my best friend is going to laugh at me if I get it" extravaganza. Truth? You cannot make everyone happy. That's why you should just make yourself happy. Sound selfish to you? I guessed right, think again.

Why not, you have the right to listen to whatever music you like. Music is a wonderful thing, and people take it very seriously. Unfortunately, a lot of people believe what music you listen to represents who you are. That is a lie I must say. I have listened to all genre of music you can imaging and that has not altered my resoluteness to be who I am or want to be. Perhaps to you, but I think it makes me awesome. So forget about what’s toping the charts and give your ears what they like to hear...unless your ears do like the music on top charts, then proceed happily.

By the way, did I mention this? And yes, as long as the norms of decency are respected, dress how you want. You are this ‘contoured’ lady in your flowery skirts dropping down to your feet but your friends think you are nuts while they perambulate the place in minis that bring out all they have as contours, right? But you think it's wrong to kill the men’s eyes with your contours? So what do you do? You...buy some minis to be in conformity with your friends! It seems like an obvious answer here and now, but peer pressure is real and it is ever so present. If you like that flowery skirt that is ankle length and has pretty fish embroidered on it, BUY IT (if you can afford it, of course)! Forget about what your friends will say. Buy for you and only you, because only you know who you are!

As a matter of fact, you really have to forget about Stereotypes. "OMG he is not conventional!" Um...okay? Seriously, though, stereotypes dilute the lake of being yourself. Don't cut your left leg off to fit in a mold that you clearly aren't meant to fit in. Forget everything you've learned about conventionalism! Seriously. Raymond Hall says "He who trims himself to suit others will soon whittle himself away."

Somehow, it pays to be weird. Break frontiers, innovate, do the same simple things in an extraordinary way, take risks and venture into new territory, think out of the box and have the courage to externalize your wildest imaginings. For sure, people will yell out weird and encouraging comments, and they will think mean thoughts about you. But who cares? You're having fun...maybe they should try it sometime!

Above all, you MUST love yourself. You are smart, cool, lovely, stunning, beautiful, hilarious, awesome, talented, and adorable. You are no second-fiddle in fact, you’re a free spirit, you're creative, you're amazing, and you're UNIQUE. Never, ever forget it, and take it for what it's worth.

Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated, thus, everyone's task is unique as his specific opportunity to implement it. - Viktor E. Frankl

No comments:

Post a Comment