As you are in pursuit of evolving, building your life and breathing life into your purpose…also be cognizant about these competing forces in our society. Those forces are actively, on a 24/7 basis, testing you, and even working against you more times than not. The purpose of these forces is to have you consistently submit fully to a continually-changing society and become a walking-talking product of popular societal opinion.
And no, this is not enough to say “why push against them because you can’t win,” because that also finds you in the same trap. Instead, it’s the reason that WE SHOULD push back. To not push back is an ultimate acceptance to our defeat as individuals—all of us, at some point or another, whether it be implicitly or explicitly, don’t choose to push back because much of our identity is rooted in the fear of societal rejection. Pushing back against these societal forces means subjecting yourself to social rejection to the point where society is forced to look at you and can no longer reject you. This can also stem into another subtopic of what types of social “push back” are there, and where those lines are defined…but that’s a discussion for another day.
And notice that I said “forces,” not “people.” Fighting people is not the point, it’s the distraction. Your goal in being on the path you’re on should be to achieve your goals in life and get people to think differently by pushing against the societal forces that define people’s everyday lives through your own example. Give them a space where they can evolve themselves, rather than reject them as individuals and personally ostracize them. Be civil with the people who don’t want to gain new perspective and just leave them be. Welcome those who are willing and wanting to grow with new perspective. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who are already gaining traction on their journey.
Not everyone will come for the ride, and that’s fine. The important thing is that we know why we walk the path we do outside of society’s larger input. As this new year approaches, take time to sit, reflect and get honest with yourself—what does the best version of yourself really look like and how do you get there?
Ray of JoKay 