God wants to take us, with all our weaknesses and inabilities, and transform us, by working from the inside out, to do something powerful in this earth. If we're going to overcome insecurities and succeed at being ourselves, we can't continue to be afraid of what everybody else may think. We can't continue to allow others to fit us into their mold. We are different! We are unique! God created us this way to accomplish His purposes here on earth.

This article is taken from Joyce's book, I Dare You

*********************************************
Dare to be Different: Why It’s Okay to Break the Mold

By Anonymous

“Criticism is something you can easily avoid by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.” ~Aristotle

Who am I? This is a question that haunts us all at some point, especially when the people around us are trying to constantly answer this question for us.

How do we remain true to ourselves in a world that is constantly trying to make us something else?

I can tell you that it isn’t easy.

I work as a full-time police officer in a busy department. In police work, everything is supposed to fit in its right place, and there is an established value system in place. In my experience the police system is founded on one major theme, and everyone is expected to conform to this mold:

Command is valued over communication.

This is an area where I have done a great job making myself an outcast.

You see, I chose to join a career where the belief system of the work is contradictory to my own.

I genuinely care for people, and I value communication above all else in my work. I prefer to talk instead of yell, and ask instead of tell.

My way of doing the job greatly differs from almost everyone else in my profession.

I have also noticed that I tend to get a lot further when I am dealing with people, and get in a lot less confrontational situations than my co-workers. Coincidence?

The truth is that people will do everything they can to make you conform to their “rules.” Because the police world is such a strong subculture, there is a lot of pressure to conform and breaking the established “rules” is even more taboo.

It can be exhausting sometimes to remain true to yourself in an environment where everyone expects you to be something else.

We have established that it is difficult and uncomfortable to be different, so why not just conform? The mold is there for a reason, right?

I can’t answer that question for you, but I can tell you that the mold didn’t work for me.

Let me explain why.

The reason I do things the way I do is because there are people that need and depend on me to be true to myself. The last thing the world needs is one more stereotypical burnt out cop.

Don’t be so afraid to color outside of the lines that you never pick up your crayon!

You have a unique perspective to offer that no one else does, so share it!

I can’t tell you how many thank you’s and phone calls I have received for my openness and helpfulness at work. All because I choose to do things differently.

I have helped to change people’s lives simply by being true to myself. I have gotten through to people that other officers haven’t been able to by because I don’t fit the mold. I promise you, nothing feels better than following the path in your heart.

Realize I am not saying that my way is better than any other way. I am simply sharing that the different approach that I bring to work has proven to be invaluable to others.

Also it is important to realize that being true to yourself means you might bump heads with other people. That is okay!

If there isn’t any conflict in human interaction it usually means one person is compromising their beliefs in some way. A little bit of conflict is natural; accept it and learn from it.

There is a sort of catch that comes with breaking the mold though.

It definitely isn’t the easy road and you are going to face some difficulties. At least I know that I have.

What can you expect if you choose to break the mold?

Will you be mocked? You bet

Misunderstood? Count on it.

Outcasted? Most likely

And all of it will be worth it. To the people you help and to your happiness in life, there is no alternative. You have to be true to yourself, against all odds.

I have had insulting posters made about me and posted up at work and I have been openly mocked for my way of doing things by other officers. I have been told on multiple different occasions walking up to a scene with violent individuals “Why don’t you just go give them a hug”… as if I don’t understand that the world isn’t that simple.

This is the price I pay for staying true to myself, and I grin and bear it. Because every time someone tells me I was the only person on the scene who really listened to them, and that I made a difference in their life, it makes it all worth it.

My way of living has been difficult, but also equally rewarding for me. I chose not to compromise my beliefs just to fit in, and I would gladly do it again.

The choice of who you will be is ultimately up to you.

If you choose to break the mold, I offer some advice to help you find your way:

1. Intimately get to know who you are and what you represent.

Without a crystal clear view of your identity, it will be difficult to survive the pressure and ridicule. Get to know yourself more. Spend time meditating, writing out your feelings, and organizing your thoughts before you make any big decisions.

2. Try not to take things personally.

What you need to realize is that humans attack what they don’t understand. It isn’t that they dislike or disapprove of you; it is that they don’t understand what you represent.

Realize that the attacks are not personal, no matter how they sound. The people attacking you are really just protecting their own ideals, because what you represent makes them question their values.

3. Realize that you are unique and important, despite what the people around you may say.

Your opinion and approach matters just as much as everyone else’s!

Once you start walking your own path, never turn back. Walk through life with your head held high knowing that you never comprised what is in your heart.

Being true to yourself will eventually earn you respect among many of your peers. I have had this happen to me, and I have more than a few co-workers who understand my approach and respect it. Coincidentally, these co-workers are the officers I always looked up to. We handle situations differently, but we respect each other’s methods. This type of support will go a long way to keeping you on course.

Even a few of the officers who initially gave me the hardest time have started to be more respectful. It takes time, but it does get easier.

If you ever feel alone on your path, realize that you are in good company. Almost all the great people in history chose to break the mold and to walk their own path.

Starting right now, I challenge you walk your own path and don’t compromise your beliefs for anyone.

Take the first step and never turn back.
http://tinybuddha.com/blog/dare-different-okay-break-mold/

This motivation speech was written for presentation at a Toastmasters club meeting.

Enjoy the motivation speech. http://www.motivation-for-dreamers.com/motivationspeech.html

If you want to get what everyone is getting, do what everyone is doing.

Mr. Toastmaster, ladies and gentlemen, my speech tonight is not simply about me, but also about being different. I have chosen this topic because it is something that is very dear to me and something I have made a personal philosophy and which I endeavor to live by.

THE WALK

I think it all started when I was 18 years old and in my first year at campus. That was about the time that I started to observe people’s behaviour and just to think about life. I was taking a walk with two friends and was in deep thought. They were chatting, but I was not paying attention to what they were saying. Then suddenly I said

“You know guys; I am pretty disappointed with the adult world.”

One of them asked me why and I explained that when I was going to campus I expected a lot of change and difference in the behaviour of the people around me. After all, they were adults. I always thought being an “adult” was a lot different from being a kid. However I felt after being on campus for a few months that the adult world was not what I had expected.

Everyone just seemed to behave like they were still teenagers. Nobody seemed to be outstanding in any way. There was no distinction, as far as I could see, between the 18 year old and the 50 year old apart from their age! Where was the wisdom and excellence I had come to expect. There was no change!

I did not know it then, but over the years I have come to see that the reason people don’t change is simply that they do not dare to be different.

WHAT DOES BEING DIFFERENT MEAN?

Being different means:- Not being afraid to challenge the norm.- Being willing to take a chance.- Asking why.- Making your own track, not just following the well trodden path.- Charting your own course and destiny.- Being the person that you were meant to be.

I believe that everyone is born unique. But through the years we work very hard to be like everyone else. We conform to society’s so-called “common-sense.” Unfortunately it is just that – “common sense.” That does not mean its “good sense.”

THE FOLLY OF EDUCATION.

If I were to take just the people in this room, it is likely that most of you have spent anything from 15 to 20 years getting an education so you can get the jobs you have. Doesn’t it strike you as irresponsible that one can spend so much time getting an education and yet so many people don’t make any deliberate effort to develop their greatest asset – themselves!

Most people think once they have a qualification that’s it. They have arrived. Is it any wonder they don’t grow? They are stagnant. Stuck at 18!

Most of us won’t even read unless there’s an exam in sight. But you know what? Everyday of your life is an exam. Everyday you either pass or fail the test of life. Everyday is an opportunity to grow beyond your present barriers and circumstances. Everyday is a chance to become a better person.

The saddest part is most of people don’t realize this. If they had to be graded at the end of their lives you know what they’d get? D, D and more D’s. And yet they thought they were doing very well. They let society’s “common sense” grade them.

MY ADVICE?

If I can leave you with one piece of advice it would be this: READ

Society celebrates mediocrity so much that it does not take much to set yourself above the rest. Doing that one thing regularly will put you way above the rest. Read books that challenge you and that make you think.

I have decided to read at least one book every month. I’m already amazed at the results.

MY FINAL WORDS

In closing I’d like to say to those of you that are skeptics out there, those of you that are saying “oh, he is just drink with the omnipotence of youth. He’ll get over it, and then he’ll be just like everyone else.”

My words to you are:

“I ain’t going out like that. I know that I have an abundance of potential within me and I will bring it out to fruition. Why?”

“Because…I’M DIFFERENT!”

I am usually inclined to give a motivation speech when giving speeches at the club meetings as it is my passion to motivate others and to try to bring out the best in people.

You should also take a look at this motivation speech titled "24 Hour to Live."
If you have an inspiring motivation speech you would like to share you can do so by filling in this form on uplifting motivation articles

Return to Motivation Speech Collection

*************8
To realize your potential, 'dare to be different'

By Rich Horwath, Special to CNN

Updated 6:53 AM ET, Fri February 24, 2012

"The Physical Impossibility of Death," by artist Damien Hirst -- an example of success by differentiation, says Rich Horwath.

Story highlights

"We must embrace the style that makes us unique," says Rich Horwath
Horwath says everyone has their own unique style that can help their career
He asks five questions to help you discover your differentiation

Do you get it? Translation: Are you strategic? How often have you overheard a group talking about a leader and saying, "She/he just doesn't get it?" Do they say that about you?

A Wall Street Journal survey of corporate human resources and leadership-development executives identified "strategic thinking" as the business skill most sought by organizations.

So how can you continually hone your strategic-thinking skills in order to provide value to the organization and advance your career? The fact is, most of us are now required to be more successful with fewer resources. Let's focus on the theme that's at the heart of being strategic: differentiation.

Rich Horwath

In order to realize our full potential, we must embrace the style that makes us unique -- whatever it might be.

Is our style quiet and introverted, or outgoing and extroverted? Do we thrive in an orderly, structured arena, or one that is constantly changing and requires a great deal of flexibility and improvisation? Success goes to those who are willing to be different in ways that bring value to others.

Excellence, by its very definition, is deviation from the norm. The norm is an average, or a standard level. It's where the majority of people wind up, even though there is no such thing as a "normal" human being. Everyone has a unique style built on differences in background, abilities, temperament, and so forth. The difficult thing is uncovering and living that unique style.

A manager whose products and services represent the norm for the industry may break even or make a modest profit. A person who lives by following the herd, and who is not willing to take the risks that will let his or her true gifts shine through, may be comfortable. But neither will ever know the exhilaration of finding what differentiates them and letting authenticity drive their individual success. We are all different from one another; our strategies need to be different as well.

Strategy is inherently about doing different things than the competition or doing the same things in different ways than the competition. It's not about being better, it's about being different. Better is often subjective: Is blueberry pie better than lemon meringue? It depends, but it's definitely different and I can sell you on those differences.

Differentiation in the studio

British artist Damien Hirst has taken a dramatic approach to art by performing it in a different way. He created a series of artworks in which dead animals (including a shark, a sheep, and a cow) are preserved -- sometimes after having been dissected -- in formaldehyde.

While his artwork -- such as "The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living," featuring a shark in a tank of formaldehyde -- caused great debate on what is or is not art, one thing can't be denied: his ability to differentiate himself and his work through a well-conceived strategy that has jolted the business world of art.

Hirst's different artistic activity has propelled him to become reportedly Britain's richest living artist, with his wealth valued at nearly $350 million.

Differentiation in the kitchen

While Hirst employed different activities in the world of art, award-winning chef Grant Achatz has taken the common activity of cooking and is transforming it in different ways.

Named the 2008 top chef in the United States by the James Beard Foundation, he is the owner of Alinea, Restaurant Magazine's best restaurant in North America in 2011. Now Achatz has conceived a new concept. His latest restaurant, Next, serves four menus per year, from great moments in culinary history or the future, such as Paris 1912, Sicily 1949, and Hong Kong 2036.

Instead of reservations, bookings are made more like those for a play or a sporting event. Tickets are fully inclusive of all charges, including service. Ticket price depends on which seating you buy: Saturday at 8 pm is more expensive than Wednesday at 9:30 pm. Next also offers an annual subscription to all four menus at a discount, with preferred seating.

Achatz has taken the common activity of running a restaurant and is constantly finding new ways to do it differently.

Discover your differentiation

Five questions to help you discover your differentiation this year:

1. What are the activities I perform that are truly different from those others perform?

2. What are the similar activities I perform in different ways than others do?

3. What characteristics or traits do I have that are unique to me?

4. What resources do I have that are different from those of others?

5. What is the primary differentiated value I bring to people in my life?

Most books and training programs only address the first three levels of strategy: corporate, business unit and functional group. In reality, these are all subsets of the most important level of strategy: you.

評論

TJKCB 2015-10-01 12:20:12 回複悄悄話那些與生命有關的追問
(2015-10-01 11:08:19)下一個

我喜歡有趣的人。有趣的人言談都是智慧的沉澱。在我看來，真正的大智慧，應當都與生命的本質有關。

天真無邪的孩子在我眼裏無疑是有趣的，他們是一張白紙，那種不曾落塵的白讓他們的思想渾然璞玉般自然流露著生命本源的特質。

而那些懷有疑問的中年男子在我眼裏亦是有趣的。我喜歡他們的追問，無知孩童一樣茫然的神氣，那是同齡的女人們臉上幾乎滅絕的神情。古來女子太篤定，以大地般的寬容接受認領命運賦予的一切，幸福或者苦難。而懷有質疑的多是男子。那種茫然失措的樣子讓人看得好笑，又暗暗會生出幾分心疼，同時也有幾分心領神會。他們用無數個大大的問號去敲一扇扇門，未必獲得真理，卻一定會因為追索而接近。

我喜歡聽他們的問題，喜歡沿著他們的困惑向前。會靠近什麽呢？我不知道，也許隻是完整的人。

“你說，人活著究竟是為什麽呢？人生的意義到底是什麽呢？”他問我這句話時是在公園裏，一臉胡子拉碴，一件皺皺巴巴的圓領衫，大短褲鬆鬆地係著，拉鎖赫然敞開著。一米八幾的大塊頭看起來像是一塊讓人昏昏欲睡的木頭，除了他的這句提問，讓我莫名為之一震。

人生的意義。多麽凝重的話題，乍然從一個兩年不見邋遢得麵目全非的中年男人嘴裏說出，卻無端得合時合宜。

他向著我問。我卻覺得他的問題更需要一個男人來回答。果然旁邊一個半熟的衣冠整齊的男子搶著說，“這個問題我早就想過了。我二十幾歲的時候就想明白了。人生就是沒有意義。”

我笑。二十幾歲。人生的意義就是沒有意義。這麽早慧的一個男人。怪不得每次看到他都是怡然的感覺，毫無暴躁之氣，不過也不可避免地透出幾分暮氣。

“我是才開始琢磨這件事的。我最近一直在想啊，我們活著有什麽意思呢？小時候的那些理想，無論實現或者沒有實現，現在都覺得就是那麽回事。一個個孩子生出來，看著他們長大，時間嗖嗖地就過去了。難道我們這一輩子就這樣了嗎？再看看我們的父母，把我們辛辛苦苦養大，到老了需要我們的照顧，我們卻一個個都不在身邊。你說人一輩子是圖什麽呢？”他繼續述說自己的迷惑之處。每一個拋出的問號都無比沉重。

還是那個男子回答他，“人一輩子圖什麽？就是圖有個下一代，看著他們長大，然後完成任務。”

“就這樣？”

“就這樣！”

我在一旁聽得笑死了。簡直是動物派的繁衍論。

再看他的神情，顯然那些問號並沒有被說服。不過他卻是平靜了一些。大概是覺得那所謂的答案和他的問題相差不多。後來再見到他，恢複了從前衣冠楚楚的樣子，卻再沒有那天在我印象中的迷茫可愛了。

另一個是剛過知天命年齡的男子。那是我第二次見到他。我們在一個飯桌上吃飯。我們一家子和他們一大家子。他越過所有人坐到我對麵，跟我說，“我那天就不停地在公園裏走，不停地追問上帝，為什麽呢？為什麽就沒有人愛我呢？”

那一刻，他的家人就在他的身邊，他的妻子，他的成年的孩子。她們聽著，卻仿佛沒有聽到一樣地無動於衷，各自尋找著各自的談話對象，各自消遣著各自的時光。

而他的言辭是那麽誠懇而淒切，讓我的腦海裏清晰地浮現出他獨自一人在公園裏苦苦追問心中的上帝的情形。

那一刻我的內心是慌亂的。我沒有想到他會對我這個幾乎是陌生人的人說出這番話，這番內心裏說給一個人聽的話，我不知道該怎樣安撫他，就像我不知道該怎麽安撫一個哭泣的小孩。同時我又是驚訝的，驚訝於一個中年男人身處家人之中那份深切的無愛之感。怎樣的家庭讓一個人如此孤獨無助，讓他除去向上帝追問再無別的救贖之路？

靜靜地回味他的話又無端地想替他哭。或許是他太貪心，並不真的知道愛是什麽，所以便覺得貧乏。又或許他隻是我們內心深處不願直麵的自己。隻是他偏執地要麵對，不肯接受地提出質疑。

聽說他後來信了上帝，無比虔誠，近乎瘋魔。我聽到這樣的說法一笑，相比人，魔與仙或許更相近吧。

還有一次，在湖邊，我跟老公的一位朋友聊天。也是剛過五十歲。

說到信仰。他也信了教。我問，你真的完全信了嗎？

一邊思考一邊信。他笑著說。

這是我可以接受的答案。對於不允許質疑的宗教我是不會靠得太近的。不允許質疑就像不允許小孩子提問題一樣。而我，即使人到中年，接受所有，我依然滿腦子為什麽。我相信隻有追問，即使追問的過程像問號本身一樣充滿彎路，但最後隻會越來越靠近通途，至於能否跨越最後的天塹，落到結局似的那一點答案就看各人的悟性了。

你說人究竟從哪裏來的呢？他問我。

我笑。這是我家孩子們的問題啊。從媽媽的肚子裏出來。當然，我這樣回答連塵兒他們都騙不過去了。世界上的第一個人是從哪裏來的呢？我已經被這樣的問題折磨得瘋過了。

“肯定不是從猿類進化來的。進化論總有一天會被推翻的。就像人類最終推翻地心說一樣。不過，人究竟從哪裏來的呢？也許我們隻是上帝養在魚缸裏的魚，供他把玩觀賞。”他自說自答。我聽得津津有味。

“人死後究竟有沒有靈魂呢？難道真的死後什麽都沒有了嗎？人的那些思想呢？記憶呢？那些可以與肉體分離的東西呢？人死以後，靈魂去哪裏了？”他問我，更像是問自己。

那天對著湖水，我們談論了很多這樣懸而未解的問題。即使依然無解，卻不妨礙我們談得興趣盎然。

未曾生我誰是我，生我之時我是誰？這樣的追問，總會讓人陡增魅力。

認識這麽久了，從來沒有覺得你原來這麽有思想。我笑他。

他說從前他也從不想這些問題。是年紀。是年紀漸長漸漸地開始思索這些問題，這些與溫飽無關，與生活本身無關的東西，因為虛無而充滿讓人思索的魅惑力。

我很讚同他的話。時光會慢慢地帶給我們不一樣的自己。現在的自己與過去不一樣，年老的時候的自己也一定會與現在的自己不一樣。所以很多智者是年老的人，因為經曆，更因為思索。那種對於生命的消逝對於未來的掌控再也無能為力的時候，一個人的思想依舊會讓他有別於苟苟營營的眾生，發出醇厚而耀眼的光來。

這樣想著，偷偷巡視一眼自己腦海裏那些始終回旋蕩漾的問號，便不再怕自己會變老了。
http://blog.wenxuecity.com/myblog/21220/201510/200252.html

登錄後才可評論.

隴山隴西郡

Go against the flow: How dare!

Be Courageous

Who Decides Your Worth?

Walking in Love

Break Out of the Mold

Unique for a Purpose

1. Intimately get to know who you are and what you represent.

Without a crystal clear view of your identity, it will be difficult to survive the pressure and ridicule. Get to know yourself more. Spend time meditating, writing out your feelings, and organizing your thoughts before you make any big decisions.

2. Try not to take things personally.

3. Realize that you are unique and important, despite what the people around you may say.

******************************************************************
Motivation Speech

"Dare To Be Different"

Story highlights

隴山隴西郡

Go against the flow: How dare!

Be Courageous

Who Decides Your Worth?

Walking in Love

Break Out of the Mold

Unique for a Purpose

1. Intimately get to know who you are and what you represent.

Without a crystal clear view of your identity, it will be difficult to survive the pressure and ridicule. Get to know yourself more. Spend time meditating, writing out your feelings, and organizing your thoughts before you make any big decisions.

2. Try not to take things personally.

3. Realize that you are unique and important, despite what the people around you may say.

****************************************************************** Motivation Speech

"Dare To Be Different"

Story highlights

******************************************************************
Motivation Speech