When someone looks at you for a second longer than the assumed norm, your head and heart automatically assume “ Yes I look good.”……. You then turn to look at your reflection in the train window for reality to hit you like a slap in the face, your confidence then drops and your thought process reverts back to negativity.
Society defines and groups everything into the norm, a so called group of individuals who characterize what we should look like, what we should wear and what we should eat or act like. In mathematical terms I call this the ‘normal’ standard deviation of society. But what happens if you are that 1st/2nd or 3rd deviation away from the norm?
- Will someone sit next to you on the train?
- Will the person next to you talk to you in the queue?
- Will you get that job or promotion?
It is very difficult to constantly, day in and day out carry a positive attitude when the above questions play on your mind. Please don’t get me wrong, I am a firm believer in the “ The Secret”, love listening to Tony Robbins, Zig Zygler and the ever impressive Earl Nightingale (his clip in black & white below proves to me that I can still reach my Everest peak) pushes me to smile and focus on my dream as much as possible.
BUT SOMETIMES, YOU JUST THINK IS IT ALL WORTH IT?
The answer quite simply is YES.
Oscar Wilde’s famous quote “Be yourself as everyone else is taken” is simple yet applicable. Individuals in society are taught to look for others approval, as we judge ourselves based on their opinion. However, everyone’s opinion of who we should be or what we should be, is always different from person to person. This thought pattern does not serve us well– and therefore it needs to stop.
It is imperative that we understand that our greatest tool is our ‘mind’. The ability to change our thought pattern, filter out the negative or unhelpful thoughts and stare into our reflection in the mirror with pride and esteem. For some of us this ability to change our mindset is inherent whilst for others it helps to read and watch video’s to instill this direction and others require the help of friends or professionals to gain that independent viewpoint.
We must take whatever action is required to ensure that we take steps to overcome that long awkward glare from a stranger. As my opinion is pretty simple – look around next time you are walking in the city or taking the train to work and ask yourself …. what really is normal?
Remember take a pride in who you are as no one can play that role, better than You!
Earl Nightingale’s – ” The Strangest Secret”