The Value of Non-Conformity

Photography by reel time

Love. Acceptance. Fitting in.

These are the values that as we grow up make us strive  to be ‘normal.’  When I was young those who were not ‘normal’ were usually considered weird.

Actually it was much harsher then that but you get the point.

A Social Experiment

I don’t know about you but I will admit to the fact that fitting in during my teens was important.

I went to a high school where I knew nobody!

The first time I was ever in this situation!

So what I decided to do was run for student council.  It’s what seemed like the best thing for me to do at the time.

A simple popularity contest so that more people knew who I was.  And when I won deep down inside there was a voice saying, “they like me! they really, really like me!”

All kidding aside, this ploy was probably one of the most memorable and bold moments I’ve had.  I made a speech for my entire grade and posted my face all over the place!

I think this was probably one of my first sales experiences where I had to promote myself and what value I brought to the table!

Now after all those years of doing things to fit in like change my hair, my clothes, my friends even, I actually ended up finding myself.

After removing the noise of so many other people’s opinions and thoughts I was able to hear myself for once.  And the voice inside told me:

“JUST BE YOU.”

Be me? … What the? What does that mean?

This blank canvas of “who I was” was so white it was BLINDING!

Against the Herd

I had actually never thought about myself like this before.  The one thing I did realize though was if I didn’t want to end up like the masses I had to make sure I was going against the grain, tooting my own horn and beating my own drum so to speak.

Being part of the herd, the masses or whatever you call it is not necessarily bad. It’s just not for me.

This took tons of time and effort as I seriously de-programmed my brain to cleanse out all of society’s nonsense about who to be, how to live and what was considered ‘normal.’

I began to feel this urge to stand apart from the group and I embraced individuality.

Now standing out, being different, being myself and being real are crucial to how I feel!

Calling You Out

So if you are in the same boat, sick of being a robot, bending at the will of what’s ‘mainstream‘ and considered ‘normal‘ then it’s time you get the hell out of being in that place of victimhood and start redefining who you are as an individual.

Forget everyone else and worry about YOU for once!

This is the most exciting time to be alive!  Don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t waste it living a lie!

Stop being a ROBOT and connect with your humanness.

A very wise man said it best:

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” – Ghandi

Be yourself. Work on yourself.

Keep growing, keep improving ’cause the more you discover about yourself, the more you discover about the world.

Yes. Really.

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0 Comments

  1. Joey Ragona March 3, 2011 at 04:21

    What can I say you already haven’t? Way to go – I’ve known you for only a short while but in that time have seen a major growth in your self fulfillment! I have said before and will tell you again, you are very impressive to watch and I trust many people will follow your lead!

  2. olivermanalese March 3, 2011 at 04:48

    Thanks Joey! So glad to have your support my friend!

    It’s people like you that continue to inspire me and keep sharing with the world wisdom we gain along the way.

    Cheers,

    Oliver

  3. Rebecca McGarvey March 3, 2011 at 04:57

    I am so glad to have meet you. You are an insperation to alot of people including myself. I love reading your insites on life and I am sure you will have a lot of people following you.
    Looking forward to many years working and learning along side of you!!
    Keep growing everything you do!!

  4. Cam McCarroll March 3, 2011 at 05:04

    Power! pure power in those words – like the sun – the truth just shines. Acknowledging the truth is uncomfortable yet necessary to be alive, you’ve got a deeper grasp on it than most.

  5. olivermanalese March 3, 2011 at 05:22

    Rebecca, thank you SO MUCH! I love your energy and so glad that we met as well!

    I’m truly looking forward to what lies ahead!

    Cheers,

    Oliver

  6. olivermanalese March 3, 2011 at 05:26

    Brother, man. Life is ALL about truth, beauty and love.

    Thanks for your support and helping inspire me!

    Ollie

  7. Ana Mendez March 3, 2011 at 14:29

    Great words Oliver, and it is wonderful see you grow in the way you did in the short year or two I know you.
    It is also gratifying to see I am not the only one thinking that be different is GOOD. People will call you crazy, when you have a different
    Idea from them, and when you succeed, they call you lucky (never normal). Most people will not appreciate the effort, work and originality
    you have to put into it to be you. Keep the good work; you are in the right path. Congratulations!!

  8. Christopher Lim March 3, 2011 at 23:34

    Great post bro. Speak the truth, especially today where so many young kids are growing up in front of computer & tv screens…and when they grow up they are nothing but a screen ID or an avatar. No depth or substance to their personality. A Lost Generation.
    Like you said “Stop being a ROBOT and connect with your humanness.”
    People need to get out there and start LIVING, INTERACTING, CONNECTING.

  9. Andrew C. MacDonald March 4, 2011 at 03:03

    Hi Oliver,

    I love this theme. If you go along with the herd, you end up like the herd. Who wants that?

    After trying to fit in for so long, it can take some work to rediscover your individuality and find what you really want for your own life. We get programmed with other people’s goals which is another trap.

    Cheers,
    Andrew

  10. olivermanalese March 5, 2011 at 04:52

    Thank you Ana! It’s so true, people HAVE called me crazy! And it’s all good with me, as I’m sure it’s all good with you too! Thanks for your support! Gracias!

  11. olivermanalese March 5, 2011 at 04:53

    Yes man! So important to connect at the human level these days! The youth have a double edged sword with technology. Only time will tell how they use it!

  12. olivermanalese March 5, 2011 at 04:55

    I totally believe that individuality is where the power lies man. We get sucked in to all these ideas of what ‘they’ want for the ‘herd’ and it’s people like you and I that will continue to go against the grain and lead the unbeaten path.

    Thanks for the comment bro!

  13. olivermanalese March 5, 2011 at 19:53

    Reflecting on this again – I realize that running for Student Council was pretty Non-Conformist because it really made me step outside my comfort zone. The intention though wanting acceptance and people to like me, was.

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