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Lisa's |
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Individual uniqueness does not prove
one’s differences. We are
told that life offers many choices, many options; we believe it. From clothes to cars, homes to careers, vacation spots
to restaurants, we pick our preferences and pride ourselves on
customized decisions. But
are we truly in the unparalleled positions we think we are? For example, the “one of a kind” sports car you proudly drive off the lot, really, is not. Sure, you’ve chosen an assortment of minor details, including color and various options. This car has your name written all over it; it’s totally you and this powerhouse on wheels reflects your attitude. You will win approval from passersby and feel like a million bucks, although the auto didn’t cost quite that much. Then again, after insurance payments and gas prices these days, it just might. There’s one factor that we overlook in our
egotistical glory: There
are thousands of cars on the road exactly the same as the above “one
of a kind,” custom-made car, thanks to the establishment of the
assembly line. The same
concept holds true when booking an exotic vacation, sitting in the
Business Class (formerly known as First Class, but sounds more
politically correct these days) section on an airplane, or joining an
exclusive country club. They
may all be pricey, but if a bunch of other guests or members are doing
exactly the same, it really is not as unique as we’d like to tell
ourselves. Basically,
everyday sales are often accredited to the created illusion of
distinction. Under the guise of priding ourselves on
originality, a large part of it is done for the benefit of fitting in,
getting approval from other self-labeled VIPs.
Careful to behave in a socially acceptable fashion in the public
eye, the three sections of the mind keep us in check.
First, the Ego is the rational sector, which beholds self-esteem.
Then, the Id is the unconscious, instinctual, impulsive
component. The third area
is the Super Ego, which is responsible for the moral, parent-like,
“knowing right from wrong” awareness.
Ideally, the Id and the Super Ego balance out one another,
allowing the Ego to lead the way. We
act the way we are expected to act; we behave the way we perceive
everyone else behaves. Only
in the confines of our minds dance the visions destined to live
unquestionably as pipe dreams. A friend of mine brought up a good question a
few weeks ago. He asked,
“What would you do if you weren’t afraid?”
I’ve since given that question quite a bit of thought.
I realized that so many of the things I’ve considered, even if
only momentarily, we’re negated as self-imposed “cannots.”
I’ve placed invisible limits on myself as a result of how I was
taught to behave, the way I was programmed by the culture I reside
within. The times
where I’ve broken out of the conventionality mold and achieved my
intended desires have been the best moments of my life.
I’ve learned that when others say, “You’re out of your
mind,” they’re actually stating, “You’re out of the mold the
rest of us are trapped in.” It seems to me that within the four walls of
acceptability, we are all given a little leg room here and there.
Sort of like sitting in Business Class.
A vast number of small choices, even though not too exclusive and
individualistic, suffices the population as a whole.
Happiness derived from believing our tastes are somehow
distinctive from other human beings is more important than acknowledging
the contrary. Reality does
not have the power that perception does. Therefore, my conclusion is that it is not
significant whether or not your car is indeed the only one of its kind;
it matters only that you believe it is.
It doesn’t matter if many before you have arrived at the same
personal decisions you have; it matters only that you think they
haven’t. Lastly, it
doesn’t matter whether or not your dreams are truly possible; all that
matters is that you think they are.
Most importantly, when conventional clones tell you that you’re
“out of your mind,” pick up momentum and keep on going. You just might be an authentic original after all. And not merely because you believe you are.
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