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Author Topic: UL Be Yourself - An Article  (Read 14279 times)

pps11

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UL Be Yourself - An Article [doc]
« on: April 07, 2012, 10:49 AM »
Hi guys. I have written an article about being yourself in this world.
I d really like you to read it and tell me how do you find it.....
If you so wish, you can also download this article.
Hope you enjoy reading it as much as i enjoyed writing this!:)

BE YOURSELF
Most of you must have heard about the singer, Enrique Iglesias, and his compositions. One of his songs ‘Be Yourself’ is a thought provoking one. It questions the very essence of our life – Are we ever ourselves or do we let societal influences to colour our outlook?
Right from one‘s birth, we have various rules and regulations imposed on us. While some rules contribute to our constructive development, few others could very well destroy us. Absolute obedience is one such continuing puzzle.
Unquestioned obedience makes sense in situations of life and death; however, it is a big nuisance in everyday life. It is just way too degrading and deprives one of their essential independence and sovereignty which are very closely linked with the self-esteem and dignity of an individual – something of great value to anybody, be it the president of a nation or one of its faceless citizens.
This brings to mind the autobiography of Sidney Sheldon, ‘The Other Side of Me’ where he mentions an incident which suggests that obedience definitely has its limits. He was working as the script writer in a movie was once asked to change the dialogues of the lead actor quite a number of times. The peculiar thing is that the aforementioned actor had a similar dream just the previous night. When the actor confided his fears to Sidney, he dismissed these fears as nerves on the part of the actor. But unfortunately, the director underwent a change of heart and demanded a change in the dialogues the actor had already memorised…more than once! As a result the actor was very near to a nervous breakdown. Imagine the plight of the poor actor, having to constantly accustom himself to the new set of dialogues! This, ladies and gentlemen, just goes on to show the fatality of unquestioned obedience.
 Adolescence is often a very confusing phase in one’s life. Do we define teenagers as a child who must follow decisions he does not have any say in? Or is he a young adult who has the responsibility of making his own decisions and having some say in matters that could affect his life? In this puzzle, a teen receives no help whatsoever from his ‘elders’ (easily identified owing to their age factor). In their eyes, we swing back and forth as it suits them. Sometimes it is “Learn to be responsible, you have grown up now” and at some others “Don’t interfere in these matters; you are way too young to understand or develop any kind of an opinion”. Please! A person cannot be both simultaneously. One simple request – do warn us before expecting us to behave in any specific pattern.
Respect and loyalty of a teenager is not given freely, one needs to earn it. Teens may not be adults, however to club us with children would be a mistake of gigantic proportions. Treat us an individual worthy of respect and in possession of our dignity, just as one would expect of any adult. Blind faith is just way too much to expect of any teenager. Be warned though, if anyone makes the unpardonable blunder of taking away an adolescent’s free will, it could lead to the development of a lively resentment and rebellious behaviour on the part of the teen.
Acceptance is another dilemma that people struggle with in today’s world. Some would do just about anything to be accepted in the ‘league of the cool’. But is it really worth suppressing your true self and being someone else? When you are yourself, some will accept you whereas others will not. If they accept then they gain a true friend, if not …well, what can I say? It’s their loss. After all, real friends are those in whose company you have total freedom to be yourself. This is a wide new world, with something wonderful waiting just around the corner. In any case, it is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for something that you aren’t. 
Imitating someone just does not make any kind of sense. If God wanted you otherwise, he would have made you otherwise. You endanger yourself when you copy someone since there is only one you. It is quite easy to be yourself and not destroy the original by attempting to conform yourself in accordance to the expectations of the society and your acquaintances. I mean, do you really think that the society has the time or the inclination to think carefully about you and then judging you? I really don’t think so. They have to battle with their own set of problems from which they are probably trying to escape from by engaging in gossip, malicious or otherwise. (Personally, I think it is the former, the result of jealousy.) Your imperfections and flaws are the things that make you who you are and utterly unique from the rest of the world. So. It is really the best to love yourself for what you are and accept what you aren’t.
If one lives his life doing what other people want him to do, he would be miserable. He is bound to suffer if he is possessed by other people’s opinions and feelings.
 

I am not saying that living in this unkind world as yourself is the easiest thing to do. It is bound to be tough – fighting for your own personal corner in the world. It is not worth anyone’s time to be in majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that. As E.E.Cummings has aptly put it – “To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day to make you like everybody else means to fight the hardest battle any human being can fight and never stop fighting.” It is no mean accomplishment for anyone.
Every individual deserves the right to attempt to make his own life and not have that opportunity snatched by someone else. Your time is limited, so please don’t waste it living someone else’s life – a life that can’t be rewinded by even a second.
In conclusion, I would like to share a few short lines with you that I had come across recently.
Life is about being yourself
Someone only you can be…
Someone only you can understand…
Someone that is unlike everyone else…
Someone that doesn’t copy others to look the same…
Someone who is extremely unique.
Because you are you.
Be original. Be creative.
Be yourself.


-P.P.S
« Last Edit: January 27, 2018, 01:45 AM by ficfangirl »
 
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Offline GG drypen!

Re: Be Yourself - An Article
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2012, 11:10 AM »
Hi!

Great article! Written from a teenagers perspective?
Speaking as a grandmother, I agree that parents, if they have done their job, should be allowing their teen's to make more decisions that will ultimately affect their lives.
The part that caused me some concern is where you tell teenagers to be themselves and not follow the crowd. I don't know about other families but in mine we really weren't exposed to much until we had more freedom in our teen years. That was when I solidified what type of friends I really wanted to have, what type of clothes I liked to wear etc, based on my ever growing public exposure.
All in all I really enjoyed your article. Are you hoping to get it published? If so don't forget to post a link so we can applaud you!
 

pps11

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Re: Be Yourself - An Article
« Reply #2 on: April 08, 2012, 02:17 AM »
Hi!
Thanks a lot!!  ;D
Yes, this article is written from teenager perspective; I m about 17 years old so basically from my point of view...as i see the world and its people.
I m didn't get what you meant to convey by your "concern"? Do you mean to say that teens should be themselves or they shouldn't at this stage? I m not exactly clear about that... :-\

Actually, I was thinking of getting it published. Originally, I had written it for my school magazine and I wished to share it. So, I posted it here. But I have absolutely zero idea of how to go about with publishing it. I d really really appreciate any help.

Thanks once again for taking the time to read and comment... :D
« Last Edit: April 08, 2012, 02:23 AM by pps11 »
 

Offline GG drypen!

Re: Be Yourself - An Article
« Reply #3 on: April 08, 2012, 09:43 AM »
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Hi!
Thanks a lot!!  ;D
Yes, this article is written from teenager perspective; I m about 17 years old so basically from my point of view...as i see the world and its people.
I m didn't get what you meant to convey by your "concern"? Do you mean to say that teens should be themselves or they shouldn't at this stage? I m not exactly clear about that... :-\

Actually, I was thinking of getting it published. Originally, I had written it for my school magazine and I wished to share it. So, I posted it here. But I have absolutely zero idea of how to go about with publishing it. I d really really appreciate any help.

Thanks once again for taking the time to read and comment... :D

My concern..hmmm...how do I explain? Although I understand your saying people shouldn't act or dress to impress others, there should be leeway in these area's. Sometimes you learn more by doing something wrong that doing something right.

Most magazines and even some newspapers have a place where you can submit things. Or you could start a blog. I hope you continue to write as I really enjoyed your article.

p.s. My oldest granddaughter is about your age.  :D
 

pps11

  • Guest
Re: Be Yourself - An Article
« Reply #4 on: April 08, 2012, 09:52 AM »
OK..I do get what you are saying...but what I had meant was in terms of dominating someone's wishes....not giving them a chance to bloom as themselves..stifling their personality.
That is something I absolutely abhor and cant tolerate. Helping someone out or pointing their mistakes so as to encourage them is wonderful, but to do so just to humiliate them is disgusting. Don't you think so??

Actually, I have another article titled "IMPACT OF FIGHTING ON CHILDREN". If you d like, I d upload it....
 

Offline GG drypen!

Re: Be Yourself - An Article
« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2012, 10:17 AM »
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OK..I do get what you are saying...but what I had meant was in terms of dominating someone's wishes....not giving them a chance to bloom as themselves..stifling their personality.
That is something I absolutely abhor and cant tolerate. Helping someone out or pointing their mistakes so as to encourage them is wonderful, but to do so just to humiliate them is disgusting. Don't you think so??

Actually, I have another article titled "IMPACT OF FIGHTING ON CHILDREN". If you d like, I d upload it....

Yes, I agree. I feel it is another form of bullying.
Yes! Please. I'd love to read it.
 

pps11

  • Guest
Re: Be Yourself - An Article
« Reply #6 on: April 09, 2012, 08:21 AM »
I have posted it in this very section. Hope you enjoy it as well....
 

Offline GG drypen!

Re: Be Yourself - An Article
« Reply #7 on: April 09, 2012, 08:34 AM »
Found it! I'll read it in a bit. I'm busy catching up on everything I ignored yesterday lol.
 

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