It's said that if you're born to stand out, stop trying to fit in. I live by this mantra because if everyone were the same, this world would be lame. An individual marches to the beat of their own drum; they start trends, not copy others' trends. It baffles me how people go to great lengths to fit in so they won't be seen as "different". Well, I would rather be different than a cookie-cutter version of the next person. True, we gravitate toward those we're compatible with but at the same time, people need to learn how to stay true to themselves. If someone doesn't like you for you, they aren't the right people you want in your life. I've never been and never will be a people-pleaser. It's not in my genetic makeup because inevitably people pleasers compromise their moral values just to fit in with the wrong crowd. Little do they realize that those who they're trying to fit in with don't really like them and yet people still want acceptance from the wrong crowd. I don't get that. If anything, one should seek acceptance from the right people who will enrich your life. Peer Pressure is a perfect example because during the pre-teen and adolescent years, youth want acceptance; they want to be in the in-crowd. Young people will go to extremes to fit in at the expense of individuality. If you don't do this, that and the third, we don't want/like you. That's called being phony because you're changing yourself in order to fit others' expectations of you. It's better to be hated for who you are, than loved for who you're not.
I like people who are different. I find that to be attractive. I like strong willed people because that is a trait that I would like to rub off on me because of my associations. I do like to please people but those people must be important to me and want what is best for me. That's where the line must be drawn. Even then, it is still my decision of whether that change will benefit me now or later. Unfortunately, this distinction goes unnoticed and these poor folks try to use peer pressure to make others worse instead of better and their poor followers end up in dire straits.
ReplyDeleteInevitably, you're stuck between a rock & hard place when you're trying to please people. Both will give contradictory requests and you'll feel like Stretch Armstrong. Although it's good to want to be liked, you should have your own identity. The right people will respect you regardless of whether you co-sign them or not.
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