Young Writers Society

We hear words like 'impression', 'image' more than often. It's so, possibly because our general understanding of life considers this 'struggle to conform' or 'struggle to fit in' as the primary motive of existence. Everyone wants acceptance irrespective of other considerations. So instead of standing up for one's own self, for one's own sake - one prefers to look around at what others are doing or saying and might even make a change of mind if the action he's about to do or the thought he's about to have lacks credibility in one's circle. It's called herd mentality - stick to the herd, and moo like the rest otherwise you don't belong - you'll be looked down upon or even laughed at. One can be so addicted to earning the favour of the reputed ones that it might strip him of all self-consciousness to an extent that he might not even realise why he does something or what motivates him to do so. Outwardly, he appears to have that 'image' and 'impression'. But he's hollow on the inside.

What needs to be thought of is the fact that - killing your own style, murdering your own convictions and preventing delibrately, the person inside you, from drawing his own conclusions despite all of them being right by all standards just because the rest of the crowd dislikes it is not leading you anywhere or is it? We need to understand that not being able to make your choices fearlessly inconsiderate of what your peers might think is nothing but lack of will power. So the point is - anyone who knows the purpose of being will never crack under peer pressure, and will set his own standards, and will be ready to face isolation when it comes to standing for principles. This doesn't mean rejecting every external opinion - No! - sometimes what others say might be a true remark or honest criticism, it only means drawing one's own conclusion based on facts and truth with courage. One should know that they might think may not always be right - but if it is - then someone else saying that it is wrong does not make it wrong. Here one gets to make a choice - to take the easy way out - sit down and pretend to be a member of the 'herd', or walk out saying "Peace, I think differently." God gave you a brain - use it. Don't let someone else tell you what you should do and what you shouldn't. Read between the lines yourself, because no matter how trivial this 'herd mentality' might seem, it is - as I've observed - the root cause of the fakeness and dishonesty that we see today. Appeasement has always degraded the soul of the appeaser. Saying 'No' may be hard, but it's better than being in a fake company which is itself rooted in hypocrisy.

Given that we live in this type of world, where are we headed towards? There might not be a solid solution, but there is a way forward. And that is - being real, being brave, being true - by all means necessary.

We hear words like 'impression', 'image' more than often. It's so, possibly because our general understanding of life considers this 'struggle to conform' or 'struggle to fit in' as the primary motive of existence. Everyone wants acceptance irrespective of other considerations. So instead of standing up for one's own self, for one's own sake - one prefers to look around at what others are doing or saying and might even make a change of mind if the action he's about to do or the thought he's about to have lacks credibility in one's circle. It's called herd mentality - stick to the herd, and moo like the rest otherwise you don't belong - you'll be looked down upon or even laughed at. One can be so addicted to earning the favour of the reputed ones that it might strip him of all self-consciousness to an extent that he might not even realise why he does something or what motivates him to do so. Outwardly, he appears to have that 'image' and 'impression'. But he's hollow on the inside.

This is my favorite part because it speaks the truth It really does you don't mind if I you this for a sermon I want to right about peoples image and fitting in do you.

This is a really thoughtful piece. In fact, it struck straight home. Most of us are the part of the "herd mentality" as you call it. When was the last time we actually did something to just for ourselves, and not to please the others around us? This so called " making a mark in the society" concept is just absurd. And most of us are doing it.
The honest way you have written it makes it a very good read. Keep writing and Best wishes. Peace.