I just read an article on
this topic and how most people are placing more emphasis on self, “the ‘I’
factor and less on the ‘We’ factor.”
It continued to say that the trend in society is reflected through our
words and expressions.
If you are an ‘I’ person,
you focus on your uniqueness and how your greatness is working to drive your
individualism so as to gain your desired results. I like to think of myself as an individualist because I
march to my own drum and I certainly can speak my mind when needed but I also
pride myself in helping others when I see that help is needed.
I absolutely love me and am
respectful and proud of me but I also make every attempt to love my fellow man
and work towards being respectful to others. The way I see it, I came into this world alone as an
individual and as I see it, it has become my duty and obligation to get an
education, become a good citizen and seek employment so I could sustain myself
as I strive to experience my joy.
The ‘We’ factor comes into play because somewhere along the way, it was
discovered that humans are social beings who thrive on connection and support
from others. So collectively, we
are able to interact, share wisdom, knowledge and ideas for the good of all.
Unfortunately the labels
that many in the world are placing on these two words, I believe are
misguided. We seem to be looking
for reasons why we do things or fail to do things but I sometimes feel that we
search in the wrong places.
It has been said that there
is a great conflict in America today and it is surrounded around those two
words. Do we have a right to
express ourselves in a healthy manner or are we obligated to serve the group—the
country, the community, our society and ignore what is good for us
individually?
This is indeed a difficult
question to answer because it opens up many other questions that seem to cause
conflict – like what are your boundaries?
You see, as I said before, we are individuals first---with our
individual mind, body, emotions and spirit and only when we come together with
other individuals do we experience that group participation that professes for
the greater good of all.
So as I discuss this topic,
I say, we are individuals first and members of a group second, therefore, I
encourage each one of you to be true to yourself. Honor your choices, trust your heart and believe in your
individualized talents because they are wonderful but at the same time, be
willing to share, care and participate in-group
activities that will help
others achieve and experience life’s opportunities just like you.
Remember, you and I
individually and collectively have something to offer to ourselves and the
world for we are strong, brave, reasonable and in truth very efficient when we
want to be but I encourage you to take a look at those character traits and
keep in mind that you can enjoy those values because you have free will and not
because you are forced to by the group.
To be an individual doesn’t mean you are selfish or self-centered unless
that is what you are aspiring to be; it is freeing to breathe and think for
myself yet I like being part of a team when a group effort is beneficial.
We each get to decide where
we want to place our emphasis—just remember as individuals we each get to choose
daily and form conclusions about our social participation and exchange in a
harmonious and well-balance way.
In truth we are all dependent upon each other – the individual side and
the group or collective side. Now
we just have to learn how to balance both sides for the common good.
If a man is not faithful
to his own individuality, he cannot be loyal to anything.
The secret of living in
peace with all people lies in the art of understanding each one by his own
individuality.
Joan Marie Ambrose
Author, Creative Writer, Motivational Speaker
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