We look up to people who stand out. But we are always trying to fit in. See the problem?
Are we not naturally and instinctively attracted to “heroes” as children — where we quite idolize a man or woman because not only are they exceling in their talent or role, but because they are exceling in something we love — a field we feel deeply connected with.
We are. And I would go further and assert that your particular hero in childhood made you come alive, they gave you a certain burning spirit, you may have even felt you had wings yourself, and swift legs, and a genius mind, and so on, — all from watching your hero.
Philosopher & Novelist Ayn Rand writes in the introduction of The Fountainhead:
The best of mankind’s youth start out in life with a sense of enormous expectation, the sense that one’s life is important, that great achievements are within one’s capacity, and that great things lie ahead … It is not in the nature of man—nor of any living entity—to start out by giving up…
But you will not see this anywhere, no. The majority of adults are taught and actually prefer a life of certainty & dependability. So they recommend it to the youth; yes, forcefully recommend fitting in. Because to positively “stand-out” is risky, stressful, foolish, unnecessary, reserved for so and so. But this way of living is detrimental because it plants a fear of failure, self-doubt, and self-pity — consequently we shrink from even the smallest risk of change or uncertainty. We become shallow through and through.
And yet, we look up to people who stand out as children because we feel deeply that their lives are exciting, vibrant & influential!
Fight the urge to fit in — live daringly.
“Only when there are things a man will not do is he capable of doing great things.”
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