Be Different, Do Different
Almost everyone feels insecure once in a while. Even the most beautiful, successful, accomplished person alive looks in the mirror and wishes that some aspect of their life were different or better. For many people these insecurities rule their lives. Their fears of being different force them to seek models of how to be, dress, and act. These people need to be told how to be so that they will remain free from scrutiny. They go through life terrified of themselves and clinging to someone else’s version of normal. However, being different is not necessarily a bad thing. Embracing your uniqueness is not only healthy, it is the only way to find happiness.
Being like everyone else is overrated. Yes, dressing, acting, and behaving as other do may win you acceptance amongst groups. Being like everyone else will keep you out of the spotlight and out of being the target of scrutiny, however it will also make you supremely boring. As people, we involve ourselves in relationships because we feel that we may have something to learn from the other person. We hope that their unique qualities will rub off on us and make us better rounded. However, when we act like everyone else we no longer present new and interesting perspectives. We become disposable. Whether going for a job interview or meeting a new group of friends, trying to fit in will only make you seem typical and unimpressive.
Not only does acting like everyone else make you appear dull, it also robs you and others of the unique qualities that make you different and exciting. What so many people fail to realize throughout life is that being different should be a source of pride, not embarrassment. Your differences make you special and important. When you hide or cover your unique qualities, you rob everyone of a new and interesting way of approaching things. Feel proud of your uniqueness and in the new and interesting ideas you can share with others. Whether it is an interesting way of dressing, a philosophy of how to look at life, or a better way of getting work done, be proud that you possess a unique quality.
Developing what makes you different and turning it into a positive quality not only makes you unique, it makes you powerful. It is easy to find hundreds of people with the same personality, same set of skills, and same perspectives. Finding people with new, interesting, and distinctive qualities, traits, and talents is rare and special. People with special qualities offer everyone new ways of thinking. This is invaluable in work, family and personal relationships.
It may seem like a juvenile way of looking at life but the truth is that those who are mean spirited toward anyone different are just jealous. They may be jealous of your amazing qualities or of your self-assuredness, either way their scrutiny is based in their own shortcomings. Be careful who you listen to and who you allow to make you feel bad. Allowing a jealous person to get you down is letting them win.