“Don’t be afraid to be different, not on a whim, but out of loyalty to what makes you who you are. What disorients us is not the complexity of the world, but the attempt to adapt to models that do not belong to us. Alienation begins when we sacrifice our uniqueness for approval. As Kierkegaard warned, ‘the greatest despair is not wanting to be oneself.’
Be different because no one who has transformed history was a copy or an imitation. From Socrates to Simone Weil, those who thought against the grain did not seek acceptance: they sought truth, authenticity.
In the Gospel according to Mark, it is said:
καὶ τί γὰρ ὠφελεῖ ἄνθρωπον κερδῆσαι τὸν κόσμον ὅλον καὶ ζημιωθῆναι τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ;
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world if he loses his soul?
(Mk 8:36)
Being yourself requires courage, bravery, and an adventurous spirit. The desire to fit in can silence the inner voice that calls us to live authentically.
Be different because truth does not lie in consensus. As Nietzsche pointed out, “the individual has always fought not to be absorbed by the tribe.”
Difference is not a luxury: it is a spiritual necessity. Fitting in can provide security; being authentic offers meaning.
Do not fear criticism or external judgment. Those who adapt out of fear end up betraying their essence. Those who remain true to themselves, even in solitude, live with integrity.
Don’t be afraid to be different, because what lasts is not appearance, but the truth that each person is capable of sustaining.”
Prabhuji
