The idea of the group, sameness, conforming to a certain social norm or custom, submerging ones' identity to the rest of the group, not standing out but blending in - what does this do to the soul and ones' unique song?
We all have a song, and perhaps we have been scorned for singing it too loudly and it has not been honored in some way, by family, friends, the community that we find ourselves in, even the corporate community and so, embarrassed, we stuff our souls deep inside us and fill our mouths with the cliches and the lifestyles that the majority finds acceptable.
But what happens to us in the long term? Where does our song go and how can our unique perspective be heard above the masses, especially now when it's needed more than ever?
A former friend, a Roman Catholic nun, once told me that we get our identity from the group. And I told her that I didn't believe that.
"I bring my identity to the group", I said, "if I so choose. Or withdraw it accordingly when the stifling cries of conformity threaten to asphyxiate me."
We all have a song, and perhaps we have been scorned for singing it too loudly and it has not been honored in some way, by family, friends, the community that we find ourselves in, even the corporate community and so, embarrassed, we stuff our souls deep inside us and fill our mouths with the cliches and the lifestyles that the majority finds acceptable.
But what happens to us in the long term? Where does our song go and how can our unique perspective be heard above the masses, especially now when it's needed more than ever?
A former friend, a Roman Catholic nun, once told me that we get our identity from the group. And I told her that I didn't believe that.
"I bring my identity to the group", I said, "if I so choose. Or withdraw it accordingly when the stifling cries of conformity threaten to asphyxiate me."