Dare to Be Different

There's one universal truth that always astounds me, even to this day. That when we look at the lives of change-makers and deeply inspirational people, their lives weren't always always viewed through that same lens of awesome. In fact, most often, their lives early on were viewed as abnormal or somehow deficient. Lacking in common sense, social norms and nearly always failing to meet the expectations of others.

Inspiring people will always have lovers and haters. There's no way around that. In fact, there's no way to be universally liked, no matter how hard you try. If people like you and support you because you agree with their interpretation of life and reality, that doesn't mean you inspire them. It merely means you validate their beliefs and make them comfortable, and that's entirely different.

It's only when you dare to be different, that you'll have the strength necessary to march to the beat of your own drum. It's only when you're okay being uniquely you that you cultivate perseverance, tenacity, and a can-do attitude to overcome even the most difficult of challenges. Being uniquely you is sexy. It's charismatic. It's the mark of a true leader and what separates normal from inspirational. It's the heroes path that we all somewhere inside of us want to walk, but few actually have the courage to.

If your journey has gotten difficult, if the people around you don't always support you, be grateful. It means you're being prepared to do greater things that you may have imagined. Maybe it means you'll be someones hero. More importantly, maybe it means you'll be your own hero and not need to be saved by anyone. Maybe it means one day someone will look at your life's journey and be inspired by it so they can have the courage to be themselves as well. 

Every single one of your choices affects your life and the lives of others in a profound way. When you can dare to be different, you dare to be yourself and you give others permission to be themselves as well. You help fuel their courage and bring strength to their journey, as well as your own. You attract opportunities to you that are aligned with your true purpose, and repel the ones that don't really suit your calling. And the greatest of all boons life has to offer, you meet those very special people that make life worth living. The ones that inspire you so deeply that it catalyzes your own greatness and gives you the ability to be and do anything you put your mind and heart to.