Paul Hebert Unwrapped

The following quote passed by me on my Facebook feed the other day and made me stop and think.

 “…we have more faith in what we imitate than in what we originate. We cannot derive a sense of absolute certitude from anything which has its roots in us. The most poignant sense of insecurity comes from standing alone and we are not alone when we imitate. It is thus with most of us; we are what other people say we are. We know ourselves chiefly by hearsay.”

Bruce Lee

Our value is IN us – Not in others’ opinion OF us

We are social animals. We want and need the input and acceptance of others. We are hard-wired as humans to follow the crowd – to go along to get along. We look to others for our cues for behavior. Social proof and consensus are powerful psychological forces that direct what we say and do. That is unfortunate.

It is unfortunate because the real value we bring to the world is our uniqueness – our originality.

The one thing that makes us valuable is the thing we fear the most and creates the most insecurity. Being ourselves – our true self – is the hardest thing in the world.

As Bruce Lee says – when we are truly ourselves only when we stand alone. That is a frightening thought.

But standing alone and unique is what makes us interesting, lovable and valuable.

Can you face that fear? Can you originate and not imitate?

I think you can.

Be an original – not a copy.