April 27, 2011
Laugh at yourself, but don’t ever aim your doubt at yourself. Be bold. When you embark for strange places, don’t leave any of yourself safely on shore. Have the nerve to go into unexplored territory.
-Alan Alda
I’m not sure whether I’m arrogant, confident or just very hopeful. But it doesn’t really matter because in a world full of cynics and critics it feels good to exhibit positive feelings about myself. Over the last few months I have created a force field of optimism around myself that repels the contagious bitterness that runs rampant daily throughout the world.
Think about this: The average person is more concerned with other people liking them than they are about liking themselves.
Please reread that sentence again four times. Think about how many of your conversations with friends and family are centered around how disappointed or upset you think other people may be with you. Most of the time this is based just on speculation. We’re always apologizing for behavior that isn’t offensive in the least. We’re basically apologizing for being ourselves. Is that anyway to live?
I cross bridges to escape bad company
Paradoxically the people who most of us admire are the innovators, trailblazers, the exceptions to the rule, the non-conformists etc. Yet we settle for being average in own lives? I’m not claiming everyone can and should be the next Steve Jobs, Barack Obama or Lady Gaga. But not every extraordinary person is famous. You can be the celebrity within your circle of friends. Those three people I just named are not universally liked. They are actually quite polarizing which doesn’t change the fact that they are highly successful individuals.
Develop some balls and stick by your convictions. Follow your gut. As long as you’re not reckless or putting yourself in danger it’s okay to do what the hell you want. You want to traverse the Sahara? Swim the English Channel? Attend the Royal Wedding? Win an Oscar? Do it! Figure out a plan and execute. The only person’s opinion you should care about is your own. Don’t let the fear of others stop you! Misery loves company but so does mediocrity.
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Thanks so much for reading, sharing and commenting!
R.I.P. SKH
Thanks I’m really glad you enjoyed it.
One of your best post.
Thanks for reading.
Great post man
Thanks. I’ll head over and read your post now. But I totally agree if people can get out of their own way and out of their own heads than they’ll be much happier just being free and being themselves. Honesty is the best policy especially from within.
Good read. I feel like I just got through saying something very similar on Monday. It works in theory, and very easy to understand if you’re already living the non-conformist lifestyle, but a lot of people struggle. It’ll take a lot more than our words to help them see that, but at least it’s a start, right?