American film star John Wayne (1907 - 1979) he repeatedly played the archetypal western hero. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
American film star John Wayne (1907 - 1979) he repeatedly played the archetypal western hero. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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Are you an individual? Do you think for yourself? If you make a stand, is it your stand, or someone else’s that you just found attractive or easy?

If someone disagrees with you do you consider their side of the argument, their position? Or do you go into attack mode?

Any of those sound like you?

If The Shoe Fits …

If you label yourself, or allow others to label you, chances are you are not an individual. You’re more likely a follower.

The difference is why you think the way you do.

If you only go to web sites that mirror your way of thinking then you are sadly misinformed.

How can you form a position on any issues without knowing, and more importantly, giving weight to other points of view. Particularly opposing points of view.

Would you marry someone based on information from an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend? How reliable would that information be?

What makes your view the only view? What makes your view the right view? What does “right” even mean? Right to whom?

The Decision Making Process

It’s not possible for human beings to make rational, logical decisions. Our brains are just not built that way. We decide things based on our emotions then create a logical argument we think works for us.

Everything we do in life we do for how it makes us feel. And that’s where individuality comes in.

Did you notice I said how things make us feel? I didn’t say how things make us feel good. We’ve all seen things that make us feel good, bad and ugly.

No matter what your decision is, it must be based on equal amounts of information from all sides before you can assess any kind of feeling.

Think of it as a jury. After hearing only the prosecution could you pass judgment fairly? If so, I would not want to be a defendant in front of your jury.

Decisions are made based on information coupled with emotion and experience.

Some Final Thoughts

Being an individual is tough. You might lose your job or your family based on the views you form. But consider the alternative.

There are those who think for themselves and others who let web sites and news channels do their thinking for them.

Taking a stand on an unpopular issue is hard. Followers are much more numerous than leaders for a reason. Which are you?

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