Question:
Nobody, no influence in my life, told me to think independently or to be original. I'm not trying to place blame. But I really never did have anyone show me the ropes so to speak with life things, women and people in general. So when I was a certain age I was hit hard. Opened my soul got ripped by a girl. Was always subliminally led towards organization and conformity. Religion, sports and school.
When I was younger I got involved with a group of older kids that I looked up to and respected. I emulated a certain individual out of the group so I could feel a part of the group and try to gain some sort of respect. Instead it got me the nickname X Jr.
When I look back on it, it is not the deriding that makes me upset, it is the idea that I can never say that I've always thought independently or never tried to be like anyone else. At the time, I had no clue how to think for myself or even what I was doing or the consequences that would follow.
The reason it is a big enough deal for me to write down is that it really effects my day to day. In a postive way too! I'm always growing and developing myself for a better future because of it. It acts as a fuel in some instances. However, it also creates the dark melancholy disposition or phase of my day, week or year. You see much of this made me act in ways that created problems in othe areas of my life. Is there a way that I can somehow let it go in the right proportions so that I can have piece of mind. I'm worried that it is going to follow me around for my entire life and people will think of me with those slanted eyes.
* I really try to be a motivator and not care what people say. But on some level, it will be difficult to deal with as it comes back rattling its chains every now and again. Whether through my mind or by a witnesses mouth.
[This message has been edited by madcat (edited 06-04-2003).]
[This message has been edited by madcat (edited 06-04-2003).]
Answer:
At the center of a pearl is but a grain of sand. The shellfish has covered that irritating grain of sand with layer after layer of pearling material.
At first, the grain of sand was a major problem and the source of much trouble for the shellfish, whose delicate tissues were constantly being scratched and irritated.
In a moment by moment effort at re-solving the irritating and troublesome dilemma, the pearling secretions continued to grow a covering that became larger and larger in proportion to the size of the grain of sand.
A shellfish, very much like other shellfish the world over, may spend a lifetime secreting pearling material and making a pearl in self-defense.
The grain of sand, one of an infinite number of grains of sand, was but a given irritation to overcome for the shellfish, a troubling problem to be sure, but the situation was in no way original to the species.
The circumstance and situation of the shellfish was given as part of living on the sandly bottom of the shifting sea. The given nature of the shellfish was to secrete the pearling material and to create a rounded and smooth pearl that encased the grain of sand as self-protection.
In the realm of human beings, the pearl is valued as a treasure to beheld and to behold. There are even grades of valuation in assessing the value of any given pearl. Now why is that?
What could be so valuable about an irritating and troublesome grain of sand that is covered by layer after layer of pearling material by a shellfish?
Could it be that a lifetime spent in covering up an irritating and troublesome grain of sand gets an old wiseman through the pearly gates?
Answer:
Sounds like you are thinking for yourself now. Why try to be like others if you are not. Who says being like others is correct anyway. Why follow the sheep when you can lead them. If you are smart enough to see your indepedence shining through then let it lose and use it to better yourself and others. True Leaders do not conform, they adapt and create conformity and change for the better. Be yourself and you will find that others will see your inspiration. Go for it my Friend, there is a whole world of lost individuals hanging out in groups needing leadership and change by one with new ideas. Don't be afraid to be who you really are, you can be no on else. Good luck and don't be afraid to make mistakes or you will learn nothing from experience.
[This message has been edited by 14allall41 (edited 06-05-2003).]
Answer:
chiron- that analogy could not be cooler.
Thanks, I appreciate both the comments very much.