… we live in an age and time where there is huge pressure to conform, to be part of a group, a movement, ideology, belief system, latest trend etc. And God help the dissenter, the deserter, the one that chooses to stick his neck out, to do his own thing, to take a different part, to listen to his own soul, to dance to a different beat. God help the one that chooses to be his own individual self. He or she is usually ostracized, penalised harshly for daring to be different, for attempting to stand solid on the sacred ground of his own beliefs without shrinking or puffing.
What is so wrong? I have wondered in choosing the path that I consider to be right? what is so wrong in being the only one on my lane if my internal navigation system indicates that is the route to my destination? Why is the crowd, the herd, so nervous of the individual? What is it about the individual that is so uncomfortable? Why is the individual so uncomfortable with his own individuality that he feels an unspoken pressure to confirm against the dictats of his inner self?
“There is danger in going it alone” I hear you say, “a huge danger ” I hear you add. “What danger” I ask. The danger of going wild, of loosing ‘shape’. “What shape?” I ask. “The shape of conformity, of acceptable norm, the shape that allows for orderly society and existence. The shape that allows for things to run smoothly. The shape that allows for control and thereby growth, development and progress” you explain.
I pondered and wondered ” is it possible that shape, control and order are actually the enemy that stifles growth, creativity and progress?” Is it possible that order is overated? Is it possible that the ultimate creative force emerges out of that which we fear? Is it possible that choas and disorder is not as troublesome as we think? Is it possible that all greatness must stem forth from the freedom that disorder allows? Or is disorder a hindrance?
I don’t know the answer, but I know the lone man is considered to be a danger to himself and to the fold and the fold is working tirelessly to absorb him in. But is he really a danger? Should we just let him be? Must we erode his individuality? Is it possible that the fold is the real danger to progress and growth? Is the fold the hiding place for the weak, timid and fearful or the breeding place for the socially balanced and leaders of tomorrow? Is there safety in numbers afterall?
Beautiful Ivory 