The Conformity Belief

Doing the same thing and expecting different results is how Albert Einstein defined insanity. Following the crowd and embracing the status quo, when everything in your soul tells you not to, can also evoke madness. When you feel you were meant for more and know that your path lies outside of the norm, what do you do?

If the thought of working a nine to five schedule causes your skin to crawl, you are not alone. Many people would rather invest in their own dreams rather than work for someone else’s vision. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 1 in 9 workers were self-employed in 2009.

To go against the dominant thinking of your friends,
of most of the people you see every day,
is perhaps the most difficult act of heroism you can perform.

~Theodore H. White

The individual wanting to make a name for him or herself may find the ambiguous path filled with obstacles, heart break, and the derision of others. Loved ones who are supposed to be in place to be supportive can quell you with doubt and try to deter you from your dreams. It is easier for them to see you walk the road taken which is why they say, "Conform, Conform, Conform!!!"

Your ambition and determination to follow your dreams frightens them. Because you are unwilling to fall into line, you are rattling their belief system. By watching you live out your dream, everything they know to be true has now come into question. Their belief system is immersed in this notion of following a certain way of life in order to survive and remain safe. Instead of supporting you they have to defend their own way of life in order to keep moving forward. Their belief in what is true about life is not the same as yours. Your loved ones want you to be safe and fear if you challenge the so called standard way of life, you will not be protected.

Following your dreams may also bring about resentment and regret in others. We all have dreams. Some of us have the courage to follow them and see them through immediately. Others become distracted with the busyness of life. They forget about their dreams and then pile on a bunch of excuses, problems, and fears so the dream remains buried deep within. When they see you progressing forward with your vision, their hidden dream begins to rise to the surface. An unfulfilled dream causes sorrow in the heart of the dreamer.

For the creative, out of the ordinary, wonderfully weird, fierce, liberated, and wild at heart types, I say follow your heart’s desire and know that the journey, although long and arduous at times, will reap many rewards. The destination may seem far away and difficult to reach but perseverance and patience will be your two best guides to help you reach your end result. Do not let others dissuade you for they do not know better. Stand up for your heart and answer the calling that you hear within your soul. It is speaking to you for a reason. It wants you to be successful and happy.

Do not be afraid to follow your dreams; be afraid not to. You are never too old, too young, or too anything to achieve all that you desire. If your dream seems obsolete, imagine a new one. "Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born." The only thing stopping you from attaining your dream is your reason why you can’t.

Set the example and be the light to show others the way. Anything is possible if you believe. Perhaps if you follow your dreams, those who don’t will be able to see a path to follow their own.

Thank you for reading! If you have a story/message that you would like to share and it fits into the topics on Always Believe, please email us. Guest Writers are always welcome!

Do you enjoy feeling good? Please subscribe to the free RSS feed so you don’t miss any inspiration. Thank you! =-)

“Like the body, the soul must also be nourished daily.”