Dare to be Different

As this year begins to come to an end (yes, I know it’s still September), I reflect on the times when, as a child, it seemed as though time seemed to drag. I remember thinking that "old" meant being 29, 39 or my grandmother’s age.

Now, as an adult, I reflect in wonder at how much everything has changed, from television to music, from penmanship to computers to the acceptance of the differences of others (this part is still being worked by a lot of people) yet, progress has come a long way.  While my roots don’t begin in the United States, I have, in essence, re-planted myself.  I think back to the times growing up in the Caribbean when the biggest and greatest thing at the time was to know someone in the States or to travel there. Nevertheless, often times, we as human beings are jaded by our circumstances and surroundings and are influenced by those same circumstances and surroundings. Moreover, for many people, it’s just difficult to think outside of the box.

This being said, I am glad and proud to say that I am one of those individuals, who is courageous enough to think outside of the box.  I don’t subscribe to the belief that I should worry about what other people might think.  I do cling to the hope, however, that my actions may be pleasing to God.  It is not my position to judge but it is my position to love; and with that love comes acceptance.  We all have things we regret, but we also have things for which we can rejoice.

The entertainment industry is probably the largest industry that accepts people for who they are.  I read somewhere that Hollywood is a place where people can go to re-invent themselves, and they can keep doing so.  Gone are the images of “perfect people,” instead we are surrounded by people who experience difficulties in life (just like us ordinary folks).  In one of my earlier classes this year, we read John C. Maxwell’s Developing the Leader Within You, and one of the most inspiring quotes I took from this book was “people don’t resist change, people resist being changed.”

The entertainment industry has shown that change isn’t bad, it’s just different.  The entertainment industry also began the trend, in my opinion, that acceptance of all things different is the right thing to do.  It has shown those of us who dare to be different that we have a voice and to always chase your dreams.  After all, no one can take away your dreams unless you let them.

I’ll close as I often do what price would YOU pay?

References

Maxwell, J.C. (1993) Developing the Leader Within You. Nelson Publishing, Nashville, TN.







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