What if we turn conformity around??
Jaden, a high school student, created a powerful video for a class project called “This I Believe.” She wrote, edited and choreographed this lovely call to us all, but especially to high schoolers, to be themselves. Please enjoy and share with anyone you think could benefit from watching — I think that means all of us!
https://medium.com/media/e3db4ef2b62d9aadfc875c4fb4a253cd/hrefJaden’s Words
How many times have you done something
Just because somebody else did it?
Laughed at a joke you didn’t really think was funny?
Bought a shirt you didn’t like
but all the cool kids were wearing it.
Decided not to like someone
Because nobody else did?
Just like popular culture and trends
Behavior can travel like an epidemic
Conformity is human nature
It’s why you feel uncomfortable
When you’re the only one talking
In a silent room.
It’s why you feel awkward
When you stand up
While everyone is sitting down.
It’s why you feel even worse
When your society, your parents, and maybe even your peers
Denigrate you until you never stand up
and you can’t bear to speak up
But what if Einstein stopped deriving the equation for energy
Because he didn’t want people to laugh at him?
What if Thomas Edison quit building the light bulb
Because he was afraid of what people would think?
What if Amelia Earhart hadn’t flown her plane
Because no one had done it before?
Where would we be?
And where will we be
If our conformist nature
Won’t let us think beyond the person in front of us
In a single file line headed in one direction
And that direction is spiteful, catty and driven by fear
So stop.
Stop walking blindly in front of you.
Look around. Look at the person next to you.
Smile. Maybe even say hi or give a sincere compliment.
What if you saved that person’s life?
What if, because of you, they had the courage to be different?
You helped someone realize that they are enough.
And because that person is so inspired by our kindness
They do the same.
What if we turn conformity around into something more innovative
Than selflessly following the leader?
It starts with you.
And me.
And the person sitting next to you.
Because I believe the most powerful thing
You can contribute to the world
Is your true self.
And through others benevolence and courage
They can set a good example for you, and me,
To become the best version of ourselves
That we can be.
Many thanks to Jaden for allowing me to share her lovely work!
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