Be, be yourself, there's no one here who does it quite like you

Everyone likes to think of themselves as original. People like to believe they are not like anyone else and that they are just "being themselves."

I know so many people that believe they are original, but in reality are just copying other people. The definition of "unique" has changed dramatically.

Obviously, people pick up things from their family, friends, acquaintances, etc. And that's fine. Our personalities are shaped and formed by the experiences we have, the people we know, the things that we learn. So there will inevitably be pieces of the people we know embedded into our thought processes and personality.

Unfortunately, there are so many people in this world that resort to a carbon copy effect. They pretend to like things, change their ideas, and tailor their personalities to be exactly like (or extremely similar to) someone they know. Everyone knows this type of person. It's the one that wants so badly to be accepted by a group or an individual that they are willing to completely change themselves to be like that person. They'll start listening to the same music, watch the same movies, and have the same interests; all in an attempt to attract that group or individual.

Ironically, this usually results in the opposite. People don't want to hang out with clones of themselves. We make friends so we can interact with people that are different from us. We like to hear other opinions, other ideas, and see different perspectives. Otherwise we'd all go look into a mirror and have our conversations. If I want to know my own idea, I don't have to ask someone who is copying me, I already know it.

People need to just be themselves. No person, friendship, or relationship is worth completely changing who you are. No person, friendship, or relationship is worth losing your individuality. True fulfillment in this life can be found when you realize what is true to you; Not what is true to who you want to be.
Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.
-C.S. Lewis
"Be"
Kevin Max

All in all we're fading
Like a soul lost in the wilderness
We're cold and we're cut off from it
Not knowing where it's gonna end

There's a star in Bethlehem, calling you
It's memory of one made it

Be, be yourself
There's no one here who does it quite like you
Be, no one else
Cause if you don't then who's going to
You're a tribute to the best of us

We follow everybody else
Not knowing what we're made for
The mecca of insecure
The sign and mark of the popular

There's a new face on the television
It's a new host with the same decision

Be, be yourself
Don't let the losers tell you what to do
Be, no one else
Cause if you don't then who is going to

And the time is now
No reason to look back
Just like an infant born
You've got to catch your breath
And I'm learning Father
Yes, and I'm going farther

Be, be yourself
There's no one here who does it quite like you
Be, no one else
Cause if you don't then who's going to
You're a tribute to the best of us

Light the path you're supposed to see
Just like the salt that filters through the need
Like the stars falling from the sky
Just like the apple of your daddy's eye

Read More →

You're suffocating me, so very hard to breathe

I've been thinking a lot lately about my recent past and my potential futures. The reason I pluralize future is because nothing is set in stone yet. There are a variety of decisions I can make that will lead to a different future.

I have changed a lot in the last four months. I've come to a lot of realizations about the people in my life and I've reconnected with a part of me that was getting pushed aside. I am happier now than I have been in a while because I'm doing things for myself lately. I still consider the others in my life, absolutely, but I'm prioritizing. Things that used to take a high priority in my life are being pushed to the back of my mind. I've realized that there are things more important that I need to focus on right now.

I'm still not sure of what I'm looking for, but one day I will know. Hopefully one day soon, but maybe not. And right now, I'm fine with not knowing. I just want to take each day as it comes and not make any empty promises to people. It's impossible for me to make a true promise to another person when I am too unsure of what promises I'm able to fulfill.

I wish people weren't so dramatic or anonymous. The best way to get an answer from someone is to ask them. Go to the source. If someone wants a real answer, that's what they'll do. If someone is looking for drama, they'll go around asking everywhere else besides where the true source is.

Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn.
-C. S. Lewis

Read More →

 

Copyright © 2011 Christopher Cummings | Powered by Blogger | Template by 54BLOGGER