Tag Archives: Conformity

22

A Little Bit Crazy

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You make beautiful footprints. Make them with pride.

Anyone with any self-contemplation will, at some point, look at their thought processes and wonder if they are “normal” or ask themselves, “Am I crazy?” Because they are thinking about life’s mysteries and how they want to tackle the challenges they face. I know there are moments in my life when I recognize my thoughts are different than those I imagine anyone else is running through their minds about my experiences and more importantly, my reaction to them. What does it mean to be crazy?  The basic definition offered by Google is mentally deranged, especially as manifested in a wild or aggressive way.  So in that sense, I don’t think the way a person internalizes their experiences is enough to make you “crazy” I think it is enough to make a person unique. And I think the originality of personalized thought and the courage to follow it is the recipe for greatness in the world. Let’s look at how your unique view can bring a bright light to the world and enjoyment to your life.

Your Unique Talent

All people have something unique to give to the world, and our lives are a tool for creating our own amazing story.  We all have this capability, but few follow their talent fully to the conclusion of significant contribution.  There are many roadblocks in our way, from family members who care about us and don’t want us to be hurt or to “look foolish” chasing a dream to societal messages which push us all into a mass

To be rare and unique is beautiful

pit of conformity.  But the biggest roadblock any of us will ever face is the one we create in our minds. There is a point in our trip when we have to choose between conforming to the expectations of others or pushing ourselves toward our inner calling, regardless of what thoughts and reservations others might have.

Those who choose to follow their calling will feel different because you are breaking away from what others expect to create your unique path by taking this action. This trailblazing pattern of thought is original to you, and that originality can make you feel alone and isolated. Recognizing this can make you feel alone and isolated. Being yourself and thinking of things that are genuinely original and belong to you is how greatness has always been achieved.  Understand the uncomfortable feelings of being your true self and embrace them. Those who are there for you will accept you for who you are, and those who love you will enhance your thoughts and encourage your chase of ultimate expression.

Your Vision

The way a person sees the world and their place in it is the thing that differentiates and defines us.  It is also one of the most remarkable contributions we can give to the lives of others. I know the people who have had the most significant impact on me throughout my life have been the ones who shared their vision with me. And

See the power in yourself

that sharing made my interpretation of things changed and grow more positively and powerfully.  The thoughts control our perceptions. We can entertain and develop and bring new ways of seeing something into your experience, allowing you to see more in others and the world in general around you.

Those with a unique perspective, all of their own, are the most cherished to me. I know it is like  I was watching the world in black and white but then, having the veil lifted, you now see all of the colors.  It has been there all along, but the unique way someone thought helped me move to the next level of enjoyment of much in life. This experience would never happen if there weren’t a brave person to consider their thoughts and follow their path regardless of what the world said.  Being your unique self is the greatest gift you give to the world each day. Of course, some will fear this and discourage you.  The courage to continue and ignore these small-minded urgings is one of life’s biggest challenges and dangers to your dreams.

What is Your Story?

There is a story we all live from the day we are born until the day our story ends at death. That is the truth of it for all human beings living on the face of the Earth. What type of information we live to tell is based on how much of our originality we embrace and how much we surrender to the world to find conformity with the thoughts of others.  We are all in control of our own story and write it word by word

A world without you would be a very dark place

through the day-to-day choices we make.  Are we acting with courage? Are we reacting from fear of some kind? Are we wise enough to know the difference?  All great stories have significant challenges faced by the hero. It has villains, allies, joys, and sorrows. If you don’t like where your account is going, change it.

Changing the story of your life is as simple as honestly looking at where you are and making a choice, at this moment, to change it and take it in a different direction.  Then have the simple courage to take steps to create the story you want to see consistently. Look inside yourself and see the things which bring joy to you, and then do those things. Not for what you can gain financially or in recognition but for the joy they bring to you.  Do this, and financial gains and glory will come to you as a natural byproduct of your contribution.  This is the part where people overthink and tend to get crazy.  What if it doesn’t work? What if I end up disappointed? What about the things people will say and think? I have heard all these things myself and paid too much attention to them.  Be yourself and act with courage, and positive results will come to you. Ignore the noise.

So Are You Crazy?

In all of this simple thought, you have to ask yourself: are you crazy?  Well, when a person shies away from the apparent greatness they have within and refuse to develop their talents and share them with the world, that is not mental well-being.  Tools readily available to help stop the constant wheel of whirling thought. Our minds are only one-third of the puzzle of a human being, and we are also one-third physical and one-third spiritual as well.  Developing all three is the secret to unleashing talents to the world.  If you live in just your thoughts, you will never know what your soul is trying to tell you.

Learning to live in the moment is the best way I have found to hear that voice and listen to the direction it gives. Your thoughts are constant and often repetitive and quite often hostile. So much worry and anxiety are created by listening to our thoughts. Your soul will guide you through feelings of intuition toward what is suitable for you.  Some would say it is crazy to look for this. I think it is crazy not to. You are a person with greatness in you that only needs a nudge to take you to accomplish all you imagine you can—just a touch to unleash that unique perspective and talent in the world.  We often think we need to follow others, but the true originality will come by breaking the mold and doing your thing.  This action is a terrifying thing to do because it will be challenging. You may meet initial failure as you fine-tune your message and develop the skills needed to become great.  Great people see this for what it is, the writing of their story.

You have a unique perspective and buckets of talent inside of you. The question is, never if you are crazy or not. But instead, “Will you dare to share your authentic view with the world, or will you cast that aside for security and acceptance of others.”  That should be the real question.

Are you crazy about the way you are? You would be crazy to be anything else.

Not being your best self and seeing what happens is the crazy thing.

“No one should part with their individuality and become that of another.”  William Ellery Channing

“I believe in individuality, that everybody is special, and it’s up to them to find that quality and let it live.”  Grace Jones

“The best thing you’ve got going for you is individuality.”  Richard Thompson

“You know, our sense of individuality is just the number one target of civilization.”  Alan Rudolph

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”  Howard Thurman

“You just have to do your own thing, no matter what anyone says. It’s your life.”  Ethan Embry

“Let every man judge according to his own standards, by what he has himself read, not by what others tell him.”  Albert Einstein

“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.”  Joseph Campell

“Losing faith in your singularity is the start of wisdom, I suppose; also the first announcement of death.”  Peter Conrad

“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best day and night to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight, and never stop fighting.”- E. E. (Edward Estlin) Cummings

Life is either a grand adventure, or it is nothing!

 

21

Awesome

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It’s OK to Be AWESOME Because YOU are!

your awesome lincoln
He wouldn’t lie!

Why is it that any person who shows confidence in their abilities is called arrogant? Why is it that anyone who likes who they are, can be passed off as self-absorbed? It appears that as people we have developed a society that is custom-made to make you feel bad about who you are no matter what.

The point is not that we should all be arrogant or self-absorbed. Everyone has things in them that are unique and, for the lack of a better word, awesome, and that should be used as motivation to allow you to reach your potential, not to make you feel bad about yourself.

Why we think we aren’t awesome

ask me about being awesome
What is it like to be so AWESOME?

The educational system in America has done wonders to promote the feeling of inadequacy that many carry around all of their lives.  If you fit into the system and learn the way that people have determined is appropriate you will thrive, but most people don’t fit into that mold.

Either a student’s talents don’t work on the schedule of a school day, or they have creative approaches to learning that are frowned upon,  rather than encouraged.

“Follow the rules,” ” don’t be different,” and “conformity” is the desired actions of our public school system.   If students can do well on standardized assessments, then funding and prestige can result.  People are not standardized. Expecting them to learn like they are is absurd, unfair, and unhealthy.

This is an institutional dimming of the creative process that causes lifetimes of harm.  If you are told when you are young that something is wrong with you, then you are going to believe it.   All of the great things throughout history were done by people, who didn’t do what everyone told them to do.  They didn’t follow the expected path, to get to the destination someone else envisioned for them.

They noticed their inner awesomeness and worked to nurture it, and create the great things that we treasure today. I often wonder how Thomas Edison or Albert Einstein would fare in schools today.  Probably not very well.  Embrace your awesome abilities, whatever they are, and don’t be afraid to be great, because you are.

Why People knock You Down

No matter who you are, you have probably met people who are so critical of everyone else’s shortcomings that are talking to them is a constant trip into misery.

It is easy to point out someone else’s mistakes and flaws, but it is also easy to recognize the fear in the person criticizing.

When the finger is pointed outward from them, they hope nobody will notice how miserable they feel about themselves and their own actions, talents, and lives.

It is true without exception, that those who judge others harshly are the ones who feel the weakest and worst about themselves.  Hug them, wish them well, and move on.

This kind of behavior is toxic and will only stop you from embracing your own inner strength, talent, and beauty.  Embrace the fact that you are awesome.

Even Awesome People Make Mistakes

One of the most consistent factors of being a human being living on the face of the Earth is that we all will make mistakes.  How else could we learn about all of the emotions, feelings, and actions it takes to play this little game of life?

Mistakes are the signposts that help lead you toward the place where your awesomeness can flourish.  Do not judge yourself too harshly because of a mistake, because it happened.  Learn from it, take direction from it, become wise, and move toward your awesomeness.  It is there just waiting for you to embrace it.

It is not Self-Centered to love yourself.

Many people have been taught, that to think positively about yourself is a form of

You should!

Arrogance will only lead to bad things.  This attitude is dangerous, because if you don’t allow yourself to appreciate your talents and strengths, then it is a short step to not liking anything about yourself.

How many great books have never been written because someone lacked the confidence in themselves to write them?  How many inventions have never benefited society because the person who had the ability didn’t love themselves enough to pursue it? The world will never know.  It is not self-centered to love yourself, in fact, it is one of the single most important things you can do.

It doesn’t mean you tell everyone how great you are, because you are great, you don’t need to pontificate about it.  Love your ability and know you can be great.  There is something that you can contribute to the world that nobody else has the ability to do because you are awesome!

Contribute, create, sing, sculpt, perform business, market, run, think and the world will scream, “You are awesome!”

All the World’s Problems Solved

When I think of all of the people I know and the talent that each possesses, it is difficult for me to feel worried about the world’s future and what will become of humanity.  Global warming, pollution, ocean health, sickness, hunger, disease all seem suddenly very solvable problems. They certainly are because with all of the greatness in people, and it is only a matter of time before the solutions to each obstacle will be discovered, created, and implemented.  It can go no other way because you are awesome, and there is nothing wrong with that.