When it comes down to it, the only person that can truly allow you to be happy is yourself. Not the boy you tried to impress all throughout high school, not your mom, not even your best friend. They can help provide the support and resources that can bring you to the centralization of mind, body, and spirit, but it is not until you personally decide to rid yourself of all negativity and rule your life based on positivity that you will be happy.
To achieve a level of Zen of which the mind, body, and spirit are united, I believe it is important for people to realize and accept that they are truly unique. Who they are cannot be compared to others because they have grown up differently, been surrounded by different people, and have gained different experiences that have helped sculpt the person they are today.
You can see it a lot in teenagers and those who may be lost and trying to find who they are. It is important to have strong role models in your life, but there comes a point where you need to become your own person and find your own path. It is a natural instinct to mimic what you see. Monkey see, monkey do. It's okay to initially look at someone in order to figure out what to do, but separate yourself and stay true to who you are.
If every person in society did not dare to swim a different way, things such as societal norms and clothing trends would remain the same all throughout history. Do not be afraid to be who you are. Being who you are will make you happy and make the people who matter the most happy. Dare to be different. Dare to step outside boundaries. Dare to be bold, brash, and beautiful.
So stop focusing on what others are doing and focus on what you are doing. Or what you aren’t doing that could improve who you are. Be true to yourself and find your own stream to swim in. You’ll be much happier for it.
