“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” – Mark Twain
It takes courage and conviction to find a greater sense of purpose. To be different, to think outside-the-box, to stand outside the crowd, to run from the herd. But it’s worth it to make a difference.
Anyone can do what others do, wear what they wear, buy what they buy, eat what they eat, change when they change. But the satisfaction and happiness it brings is fleeting, momentary, because you might just be living someone else’s dream, or simply running parallel lives where nothing truly significant is ever accomplished. You are always looking, needing and waiting for the next thing that will finally make you truly happy. Or perhaps you are living in the prison of comparing yourself to other people. Comparison is the thief of joy.
There is no real sense of fulfillment to do what others are doing. it’s simply a band-aid, an excuse for not going for something bigger and better. It’s going in a different direction, having ideas and actions which make you stand out from the crowd, and doing this with the ultimate goal of making the world a better place, giving back, leaving a legacy, putting a dent in the universe.
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “there are no traffic jams on the extra mile”, most notably associated with Zig Ziglar. But it’s true. And not just the extra mile, but what about the road less traveled. How about taking the back road, instead of jumping on the crowded highway. If you simply go mind-numbingly in the direction of everyone else, you suddenly look around and ask, “what happened?”, “why and I stuck?”, “why do I feel the same as I did yesterday?”, “where’s the sense of true joy, of life-affirming change?”
There is no doubt there is power in numbers. But you can bet the initial idea to take action and make a change, to stand out and make a difference, was sought out by one person, who stood alone at first and could visualize a better way.
Some of the greatest, life-changing inventions in history came from the minds of one or two people, brave enough, and tough enough to step outside the crowd and forge a new path, come up with a fresh idea and then turn their intentions into action. From Edison to Einstein, to Jobs.
Think different, act different, be different. And make a difference.
Until next time, thanks for taking the time.
Mark
Mark Brodinsky, Author
It Takes 2. Surviving Breast Cancer: A Spouse’s Story
#1 Amazon Best-Seller
www.spouses-story.com
markbrodinsky@gmail.com