Sunday, February 23, 2020

Individual Behavior

A quest for individuality is a journey that all of us are on. We strive to be our own person, march to the beat of own drummer, not conform to the standards of other, etc. "I've gotta be me," as the song goes, is our battle cry. This, I would contend, is a good thing. Doing so represents our goal of achieving deep and lasting self respect. Making our own decisions or choices is a key way of, in a sense, standing on our own feet. This is the candidate I endorse. This is the person I will be-friend. This is the person I will marry. All these and other declarations of various weight are what ultimately defines us.   

What also defines us is how we communicate. Are we straight-forward or blunt in how we talk with others? Do we talk around issues without making a real point for fear of offending or upsetting another? Do we use the interests or concerns of others to help shape points we wish to make as a way of being more effective in our communicating? Do we focus only on what's on our mind without regard for the perspective of others? Such basic questions also serve as defining elements when it comes to the kind of person we are. They represent ways in which people judge us as to whether we are worthy of respect or affection.

Being an individual is fine and most worthy of focus for us all. The question, however, comes in our we go about doing that. One can sit down at a dinner table with others and cram as much food on their plate as possible. Such behavior gives out one kind of message to the others at the table. One can also sit down at that table and satisfy their own hunger while at the same asking if they pass the bread or ask if others are getting their desired share of food. That behavior, too, gives out a message. Each kind of behavior is an act of individuality. The difference is found in the regard or care we show others. Ultimately, it affects how others view us.

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