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I’ve sat with this Rumi quote the past few weeks:
“Run from what’s comfortable. Forget safety. Live where you fear to live. Destroy your reputation. Be notorious. I have tried prudent planning long enough. From now on I’ll be mad.”
Think on the idea of conformity:
conform (v.) - mid-14c., confourmen, "be obedient (to God), comply,"
The etymology root of conformity implies a divine aspect. To conform is to comply with the acquiescence of your spirit.
In what ways do you currently conform to established norms to uphold a status quo?
This can be in your relationships, workplace, or on a societal scale.
What are you actively giving away when choosing to conform? Are you okay with this?
Anytime you choose to go with the flow of a collective, you are sacrificing part of your individuality. Reflect on if this exchange is actually beneficial to you.
Despite this sacrifice, are you still able to live authentically and in alignment with your own morals?
Sacrifice will be necessary at times. But if you are giving up your soul for the convenience of a status quo, it’s time to begin evaluating a new course of action. This is where the etymology of conformity comes in to play. The idea of “selling your soul” is common language, but very who self-reflect on what that may look like in their day to day.
To question the consequences of doing the right thing is to question doing the right thing to begin with. No matter how large or daunting a challenge may seem, you must stand up when your morals are compromised or your heart is guiding you in another direction.
Many never activate the necessary courage to stand up for what matters most. A refusal to this call is the cutting off of your own tongue due to fear of what other people think. Let your need to be accepted or validated die. From your own ashes, a new version of you can be reborn like the phoenix.
“I’ve attended a thousand funerals this past year. All of them have been my own.”
When a day of judgement comes, you’ll look back at this moment and remember what you stood for:
Love or tyranny?
Make your choice count.
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