Conformity

God's children come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. We all may stand on two legs and we may share the same basic DNA, but other than that we are as different as snow flakes in a blizzard. A common cause of depression and unhappiness in society today is conformation. We have been sold a bill of goods by the entertainment industry. It has become accepted that if we want to be as one with our brothers and sisters than we have to become them. We have to wear the same jeans. Drive the same car or at least a car that looks like their car. Eat at the same plastic fast food express that can be found on the same corner in every town. Drink the same coffee at the same cookie cut out coffee place that can be found on the same corner in every town.

Enough, already.

Nothing could be further from the truth. We do not have to march in lock step to be happy. We do not have to lose a sense of self in the tide pool of life. Through out history those names that are still remembered are those who thought outside the box. Those who questioned what was and asked what could be. Jesus, Buddha, Confucius, Einstein, Edison and others all ignored the status quo and pursued the unexpected.

We do not have to conform. Conforming will not be the magic pill that leads to happiness. Acceptance will not wash away our troubles and self doubts. By our very nature each of us is an island floating free on the sea of life. If we are lucky, every now and than we bump into other islands that we would like to know better. We might even build a bridge to connect our two islands and spend some time together. Maybe a day, a week or a lifetime.

It is time for us as individuals to embrace our differences. To proudly walk a path of our own creation. To rediscover our heart, our soul, our humanity.