Value Just Being

[MajestyJo]

Are you afraid to be different?

On the path of evolution, we move from being a willing and obedient
member of the group to wanting to take control over our own lives.
This is a necessary but difficult transition.

Andrew Schneider says, "At this point we are afraid of being
ourselves. We are afraid of being unique and different. We are afraid
of being individually powerful, and even successful. For all of these
things stand against the old ways that told us that conformity was
right and individualism was wrong.

"For as long as we possibly can, we make a compromise. We try to live
both lives - the dependent tribal life and the independent personal
life - as contradictory and opposite as they are.

"We want approval from others. We want to be accepted and popular. We
seek this comfort to overcome our fear and feel more secure. ...So,
at times when we conform, we don't feel the fear of living. But we
might lose the new sense of adventure, discovery, daring and
enthusiasm for life that the questioning and questing have brought
us."

"Nature never repeats herself, and the possibilities of one human
soul will never be found in another."

-- Elizabeth Cady Stanton

So much pressure in today's society to fit in. How difficult is it to stand up for what we believe in?

Had a guy say to me many years ago, "I didn't know you were a Christian?" You aren't a Bible thumper. I said, "Do I have to be a Bible thumper to be a Christian? Do I have to be a Big Book thumper to be a sober alcoholic. I just know that I prefer what my sponsee said, "I want what she has." I want what the lady said, "Oh, you are that spiritual lady." "I want to hear people say, "You are looking good" even when the inside doesn't feel good.

I want to be able to be me and not compromise myself.