I have moved around a lot, and I can say with all honesty that I regret the fact that I tried to fit in with others by changing my accent and the way I present myself. But I think that is not just a part of moving around, that is a part of growing up. I think the world around us molds us and shapes us, so are people truly unique? Take a moment to ponder that thought. Now think about the fact they maybe each person is unique in the sense that he has tried to fit in and changed many times in order to be accepted throughout his life and has become a hodgepodge of influences brought on by people, places, and experiences. Don Share writes about such an experience in his poem “At Seventeen” while away from his hometown of Memphis to study in New York City.
Share makes a strong statement at the end of his poem. While many years later, reflecting on his past he proclaims that the change he made as a younger man “was not worth the cost.” It does not make a difference if one is a stranger in a different town or in a different social setting, most people change the way they are seen on the outside to fit into their surroundings. If someone is rude to another because he is different, who needs to change? People should change for no one else but themselves.
Humans have evolved since the beginning of time, and individually should continue to develop smarter, healthier, kinder, and more cultured people. Most everyone should evaluate their choices and then ask themselves the question, which of these choices is going to benefit me in the long-run? If someone likes Metallica, instead of buying the bands tee and smoke cigarettes to look cool, learn guitar and be cool by playing guitar cool. People need to worry about what they think about themselves and not what others think. If these individuals want to worry what others are thinking, then they should consider the ones who are thinking about where their next meal is going to come from, or worrying whether their cancer will prove fatal. Whatever happened to the “Golden Rule?” The only way this world is going to come together is by everyone respecting each other.
In this world there are two kinds of people, there are leaders and there are followers. Leaders need to lead their own lives, and followers need to follow their dreams. Perhaps the best thing to do is to try and pursue both.
Aaron, I agree with everything you just said; the later part of your response especially. The golden rule "do unto others as is you would have them do unto you" , that speaks to me because of my assholeness that sometimes comes over me when dealing with the public. However, " you attract more bees with honey than with vinegar" , I have to tell myself that and look at the bigger picture when I am conducting myself in public.
ReplyDeleteBy harnessing your temper our words you stand out because most people unfortunately do not control themselves. By doing that, you become different in other peoples eyes, and that is where leadership begins. Cool as fan ;)