Be Yourself- feel free to stand out from the crowd.

Is it alright to be yourself? Is it acceptable to feel free to stand out from the crowd? Not only is it alright, it seems it is mandatory. If you refuse to be yourself, you cheat the world of who and what you are.

At bottom every man knows well enough that he is a unique being, only once on this earth; and by no extraordinary chance will such a marvelously picturesque piece of diversity in unity as he is, ever be put together a second time. ~Friedrich Nietzsche

You were born an original. Don’t die a copy. ~John Mason

What if I don’t know who I am?

In some sense, that could be good, but I don’t think it is true for most people. Most of us have some sort of inclination as to who we are, what we stand for, what makes us unique from the crowd. We know, we are just too unsure of ourselves to stand out from that crowd. It takes courage to do so, but when you find that courage, it can be so freeing.

I said that it might be good to not know who you are. The reason I said that is, if you are truly not sure, then the discovery can be a wonderful journey and there is opportunity to build the you that you desire.

You must have control of the authorship of your own destiny. The pen that writes your life story must be held in your own hand. ~Irene C. Kassorla

Many people are not satisfied with who they believe themselves to be. They desire to be more like someone else. Now I am not advocating that you be other than you are, what I am saying is that you have the opportunity to build the characteristics that you desire. You can be more assertive, more productive, happier, whatever it is you like.

Why do I want to risk standing out in the crowd?

Why?

Is life not a hundred times too short for us to stifle ourselves? ~Friedrich Nietzsche

Does that not say it all? Would you prefer to go to the grave regretting an unfulfilled life or knowing that you did all you could, that you were true to your own nature? I know the answer for myself. What is yours?

Certainly there are risks. Some may not accept who you are. Some may criticize you for what you stand for. Do you really care that much? Do you care so much that you would rather be a slave to their wishes than be free in yourself?

Life is short. There are only so many chances to give the world the gift, that’s right, the gift of who and what you are. Why waste a single moment of that time? Why lose sight of the dreams you have, the dreams inspired by Spirit? Why not be yourself and feel free to stand out from the crowd?

Here’s to You!

P.S. Here are a couple of other posts you might find interesting!
Infinite life infinite possibilities
Positive Thinking: is it real?