It is a common human tendency to try to fit in with our peers and be loved, respected and looked up to by all. Because of this, we often go to extreme lengths to just fit in. But we must really ask ourselves whether WE are the ones being loved, respected and looked up to or is it the fake personas that WE have created.
Each of us has been created to be someone, to fulfill a particular purpose to create stories of our own. But instead, we try to be “cool” and popular, trying to emulate someone else, thereby losing the very essence of our own soul. We forget who we are, where we came from and what’s really important to us. We create fake personalities who talk, walk, act and live in a way that’s nothing like who we are. We become shallow and irresponsible. We have a million fake friends but sadly not even ONE real one because the truth and the reality in our lives that anchored us to this world disappeared long ago along with our true selves. We pretend to be happy with big fat smiles on our faces that show the temporary admirers that everything in our life is perfect and that we have never been happier but on the inside, we are broken and lost with no one to comfort and stay with us. It is now that we realize fame, popularity, money and good looks, all of that is temporary. You take that away and what remains is the real YOU.
Imagine if everybody presented the same fake personality, presumably rich, famous, good-looking, with the same thought process – the same ‘perfect’ lives, the same routines, the same EVERYTHING.
Then how would some of our world’s most inspiring role models have ever been created?
The reason that Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Kalpana Chawla, Marie Curie, Barack Obama, J.K Rowling and others are what they are today, is because they didn’t try to be someone else. Instead, they tried to be the best, most creative and hardworking versions of themselves. They dared to take risks. They had big dreams that were considered impossible to achieve but they worked towards them in their own, unique ways and today are known worldwide for that. They were proud of who they were and refused to follow the easy path laid in front of them. They took the hard road but created their own stories, which haven’t been inspired by others but instead inspire others. Their stories capture their spirit and define their essence as individuals we must always admire that.
The world will become a much more fascinating and interesting place if each of us steps forward and proudly owns who we are. We mustn’t be afraid of taking the risk of being ourselves. We mustn’t be afraid to stand up and fight for the right to be OURSELVES, with no alterations.
Because stories that are written from scratch are the ones that will always be remembered.
Each of us have that one thing that makes us different from the rest, so let’s focus on that and own what truly defines us. Let’s not try to emulate someone else but be proud of who we are. And whenever you think that you would like to be more someone else, instead, ask yourself, WHAT MAKES YOU, YOU?
Trishikha Kiran Rao
Grade X
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