God wants to take us, with all our weaknesses and inabilities, and transform us, by working from the inside out, to do something powerful in this earth. If we're going to overcome insecurities and succeed at being ourselves, we can't continue to be afraid of what everybody else may think. We can't continue to allow others to fit us into their mold. We are different! We are unique! God created us this way to accomplish His purposes here on earth.

This article is taken from Joyce's book, I Dare You

*********************************************
Dare to be Different: Why It’s Okay to Break the Mold

By Anonymous

“Criticism is something you can easily avoid by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.” ~Aristotle

Who am I? This is a question that haunts us all at some point, especially when the people around us are trying to constantly answer this question for us.

How do we remain true to ourselves in a world that is constantly trying to make us something else?

I can tell you that it isn’t easy.

I work as a full-time police officer in a busy department. In police work, everything is supposed to fit in its right place, and there is an established value system in place. In my experience the police system is founded on one major theme, and everyone is expected to conform to this mold:

Command is valued over communication.

This is an area where I have done a great job making myself an outcast.

You see, I chose to join a career where the belief system of the work is contradictory to my own.

I genuinely care for people, and I value communication above all else in my work. I prefer to talk instead of yell, and ask instead of tell.

My way of doing the job greatly differs from almost everyone else in my profession.

I have also noticed that I tend to get a lot further when I am dealing with people, and get in a lot less confrontational situations than my co-workers. Coincidence?

The truth is that people will do everything they can to make you conform to their “rules.” Because the police world is such a strong subculture, there is a lot of pressure to conform and breaking the established “rules” is even more taboo.

It can be exhausting sometimes to remain true to yourself in an environment where everyone expects you to be something else.

We have established that it is difficult and uncomfortable to be different, so why not just conform? The mold is there for a reason, right?

I can’t answer that question for you, but I can tell you that the mold didn’t work for me.

Let me explain why.

The reason I do things the way I do is because there are people that need and depend on me to be true to myself. The last thing the world needs is one more stereotypical burnt out cop.

Don’t be so afraid to color outside of the lines that you never pick up your crayon!

You have a unique perspective to offer that no one else does, so share it!

I can’t tell you how many thank you’s and phone calls I have received for my openness and helpfulness at work. All because I choose to do things differently.

I have helped to change people’s lives simply by being true to myself. I have gotten through to people that other officers haven’t been able to by because I don’t fit the mold. I promise you, nothing feels better than following the path in your heart.

Realize I am not saying that my way is better than any other way. I am simply sharing that the different approach that I bring to work has proven to be invaluable to others.

Also it is important to realize that being true to yourself means you might bump heads with other people. That is okay!

If there isn’t any conflict in human interaction it usually means one person is compromising their beliefs in some way. A little bit of conflict is natural; accept it and learn from it.

There is a sort of catch that comes with breaking the mold though.

It definitely isn’t the easy road and you are going to face some difficulties. At least I know that I have.

What can you expect if you choose to break the mold?

Will you be mocked? You bet

Misunderstood? Count on it.

Outcasted? Most likely

And all of it will be worth it. To the people you help and to your happiness in life, there is no alternative. You have to be true to yourself, against all odds.

I have had insulting posters made about me and posted up at work and I have been openly mocked for my way of doing things by other officers. I have been told on multiple different occasions walking up to a scene with violent individuals “Why don’t you just go give them a hug”… as if I don’t understand that the world isn’t that simple.

This is the price I pay for staying true to myself, and I grin and bear it. Because every time someone tells me I was the only person on the scene who really listened to them, and that I made a difference in their life, it makes it all worth it.

My way of living has been difficult, but also equally rewarding for me. I chose not to compromise my beliefs just to fit in, and I would gladly do it again.

The choice of who you will be is ultimately up to you.

If you choose to break the mold, I offer some advice to help you find your way:

1. Intimately get to know who you are and what you represent.

Without a crystal clear view of your identity, it will be difficult to survive the pressure and ridicule. Get to know yourself more. Spend time meditating, writing out your feelings, and organizing your thoughts before you make any big decisions.

2. Try not to take things personally.

What you need to realize is that humans attack what they don’t understand. It isn’t that they dislike or disapprove of you; it is that they don’t understand what you represent.

Realize that the attacks are not personal, no matter how they sound. The people attacking you are really just protecting their own ideals, because what you represent makes them question their values.

3. Realize that you are unique and important, despite what the people around you may say.

Your opinion and approach matters just as much as everyone else’s!

Once you start walking your own path, never turn back. Walk through life with your head held high knowing that you never comprised what is in your heart.

Being true to yourself will eventually earn you respect among many of your peers. I have had this happen to me, and I have more than a few co-workers who understand my approach and respect it. Coincidentally, these co-workers are the officers I always looked up to. We handle situations differently, but we respect each other’s methods. This type of support will go a long way to keeping you on course.

Even a few of the officers who initially gave me the hardest time have started to be more respectful. It takes time, but it does get easier.

If you ever feel alone on your path, realize that you are in good company. Almost all the great people in history chose to break the mold and to walk their own path.

Starting right now, I challenge you walk your own path and don’t compromise your beliefs for anyone.

Take the first step and never turn back.
http://tinybuddha.com/blog/dare-different-okay-break-mold/

This motivation speech was written for presentation at a Toastmasters club meeting.

Enjoy the motivation speech. http://www.motivation-for-dreamers.com/motivationspeech.html

If you want to get what everyone is getting, do what everyone is doing.

Mr. Toastmaster, ladies and gentlemen, my speech tonight is not simply about me, but also about being different. I have chosen this topic because it is something that is very dear to me and something I have made a personal philosophy and which I endeavor to live by.

THE WALK

I think it all started when I was 18 years old and in my first year at campus. That was about the time that I started to observe people’s behaviour and just to think about life. I was taking a walk with two friends and was in deep thought. They were chatting, but I was not paying attention to what they were saying. Then suddenly I said

“You know guys; I am pretty disappointed with the adult world.”

One of them asked me why and I explained that when I was going to campus I expected a lot of change and difference in the behaviour of the people around me. After all, they were adults. I always thought being an “adult” was a lot different from being a kid. However I felt after being on campus for a few months that the adult world was not what I had expected.

Everyone just seemed to behave like they were still teenagers. Nobody seemed to be outstanding in any way. There was no distinction, as far as I could see, between the 18 year old and the 50 year old apart from their age! Where was the wisdom and excellence I had come to expect. There was no change!

I did not know it then, but over the years I have come to see that the reason people don’t change is simply that they do not dare to be different.

WHAT DOES BEING DIFFERENT MEAN?

Being different means:- Not being afraid to challenge the norm.- Being willing to take a chance.- Asking why.- Making your own track, not just following the well trodden path.- Charting your own course and destiny.- Being the person that you were meant to be.

I believe that everyone is born unique. But through the years we work very hard to be like everyone else. We conform to society’s so-called “common-sense.” Unfortunately it is just that – “common sense.” That does not mean its “good sense.”

THE FOLLY OF EDUCATION.

If I were to take just the people in this room, it is likely that most of you have spent anything from 15 to 20 years getting an education so you can get the jobs you have. Doesn’t it strike you as irresponsible that one can spend so much time getting an education and yet so many people don’t make any deliberate effort to develop their greatest asset – themselves!

Most people think once they have a qualification that’s it. They have arrived. Is it any wonder they don’t grow? They are stagnant. Stuck at 18!

Most of us won’t even read unless there’s an exam in sight. But you know what? Everyday of your life is an exam. Everyday you either pass or fail the test of life. Everyday is an opportunity to grow beyond your present barriers and circumstances. Everyday is a chance to become a better person.

The saddest part is most of people don’t realize this. If they had to be graded at the end of their lives you know what they’d get? D, D and more D’s. And yet they thought they were doing very well. They let society’s “common sense” grade them.

MY ADVICE?

If I can leave you with one piece of advice it would be this: READ

Society celebrates mediocrity so much that it does not take much to set yourself above the rest. Doing that one thing regularly will put you way above the rest. Read books that challenge you and that make you think.

I have decided to read at least one book every month. I’m already amazed at the results.

MY FINAL WORDS

In closing I’d like to say to those of you that are skeptics out there, those of you that are saying “oh, he is just drink with the omnipotence of youth. He’ll get over it, and then he’ll be just like everyone else.”

My words to you are:

“I ain’t going out like that. I know that I have an abundance of potential within me and I will bring it out to fruition. Why?”

“Because…I’M DIFFERENT!”

I am usually inclined to give a motivation speech when giving speeches at the club meetings as it is my passion to motivate others and to try to bring out the best in people.

You should also take a look at this motivation speech titled "24 Hour to Live."
If you have an inspiring motivation speech you would like to share you can do so by filling in this form on uplifting motivation articles

Return to Motivation Speech Collection

*************8
To realize your potential, 'dare to be different'

By Rich Horwath, Special to CNN

Updated 6:53 AM ET, Fri February 24, 2012

"The Physical Impossibility of Death," by artist Damien Hirst -- an example of success by differentiation, says Rich Horwath.

Story highlights

"We must embrace the style that makes us unique," says Rich Horwath
Horwath says everyone has their own unique style that can help their career
He asks five questions to help you discover your differentiation

Do you get it? Translation: Are you strategic? How often have you overheard a group talking about a leader and saying, "She/he just doesn't get it?" Do they say that about you?

A Wall Street Journal survey of corporate human resources and leadership-development executives identified "strategic thinking" as the business skill most sought by organizations.

So how can you continually hone your strategic-thinking skills in order to provide value to the organization and advance your career? The fact is, most of us are now required to be more successful with fewer resources. Let's focus on the theme that's at the heart of being strategic: differentiation.

Rich Horwath

In order to realize our full potential, we must embrace the style that makes us unique -- whatever it might be.

Is our style quiet and introverted, or outgoing and extroverted? Do we thrive in an orderly, structured arena, or one that is constantly changing and requires a great deal of flexibility and improvisation? Success goes to those who are willing to be different in ways that bring value to others.

Excellence, by its very definition, is deviation from the norm. The norm is an average, or a standard level. It's where the majority of people wind up, even though there is no such thing as a "normal" human being. Everyone has a unique style built on differences in background, abilities, temperament, and so forth. The difficult thing is uncovering and living that unique style.

A manager whose products and services represent the norm for the industry may break even or make a modest profit. A person who lives by following the herd, and who is not willing to take the risks that will let his or her true gifts shine through, may be comfortable. But neither will ever know the exhilaration of finding what differentiates them and letting authenticity drive their individual success. We are all different from one another; our strategies need to be different as well.

Strategy is inherently about doing different things than the competition or doing the same things in different ways than the competition. It's not about being better, it's about being different. Better is often subjective: Is blueberry pie better than lemon meringue? It depends, but it's definitely different and I can sell you on those differences.

Differentiation in the studio

British artist Damien Hirst has taken a dramatic approach to art by performing it in a different way. He created a series of artworks in which dead animals (including a shark, a sheep, and a cow) are preserved -- sometimes after having been dissected -- in formaldehyde.

While his artwork -- such as "The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living," featuring a shark in a tank of formaldehyde -- caused great debate on what is or is not art, one thing can't be denied: his ability to differentiate himself and his work through a well-conceived strategy that has jolted the business world of art.

Hirst's different artistic activity has propelled him to become reportedly Britain's richest living artist, with his wealth valued at nearly $350 million.

Differentiation in the kitchen

While Hirst employed different activities in the world of art, award-winning chef Grant Achatz has taken the common activity of cooking and is transforming it in different ways.

Named the 2008 top chef in the United States by the James Beard Foundation, he is the owner of Alinea, Restaurant Magazine's best restaurant in North America in 2011. Now Achatz has conceived a new concept. His latest restaurant, Next, serves four menus per year, from great moments in culinary history or the future, such as Paris 1912, Sicily 1949, and Hong Kong 2036.

Instead of reservations, bookings are made more like those for a play or a sporting event. Tickets are fully inclusive of all charges, including service. Ticket price depends on which seating you buy: Saturday at 8 pm is more expensive than Wednesday at 9:30 pm. Next also offers an annual subscription to all four menus at a discount, with preferred seating.

Achatz has taken the common activity of running a restaurant and is constantly finding new ways to do it differently.

Discover your differentiation

Five questions to help you discover your differentiation this year:

1. What are the activities I perform that are truly different from those others perform?

2. What are the similar activities I perform in different ways than others do?

3. What characteristics or traits do I have that are unique to me?

4. What resources do I have that are different from those of others?

5. What is the primary differentiated value I bring to people in my life?

Most books and training programs only address the first three levels of strategy: corporate, business unit and functional group. In reality, these are all subsets of the most important level of strategy: you.

TJKCB 2015-10-01 12:20:12 回复悄悄话那些与生命有关的追问
(2015-10-01 11:08:19)下一个

我喜欢有趣的人。有趣的人言谈都是智慧的沉淀。在我看来，真正的大智慧，应当都与生命的本质有关。

天真无邪的孩子在我眼里无疑是有趣的，他们是一张白纸，那种不曾落尘的白让他们的思想浑然璞玉般自然流露着生命本源的特质。

而那些怀有疑问的中年男子在我眼里亦是有趣的。我喜欢他们的追问，无知孩童一样茫然的神气，那是同龄的女人们脸上几乎灭绝的神情。古来女子太笃定，以大地般的宽容接受认领命运赋予的一切，幸福或者苦难。而怀有质疑的多是男子。那种茫然失措的样子让人看得好笑，又暗暗会生出几分心疼，同时也有几分心领神会。他们用无数个大大的问号去敲一扇扇门，未必获得真理，却一定会因为追索而接近。

我喜欢听他们的问题，喜欢沿着他们的困惑向前。会靠近什么呢？我不知道，也许只是完整的人。

“你说，人活着究竟是为什么呢？人生的意义到底是什么呢？”他问我这句话时是在公园里，一脸胡子拉碴，一件皱皱巴巴的圆领衫，大短裤松松地系着，拉锁赫然敞开着。一米八几的大块头看起来像是一块让人昏昏欲睡的木头，除了他的这句提问，让我莫名为之一震。

人生的意义。多么凝重的话题，乍然从一个两年不见邋遢得面目全非的中年男人嘴里说出，却无端得合时合宜。

他向着我问。我却觉得他的问题更需要一个男人来回答。果然旁边一个半熟的衣冠整齐的男子抢着说，“这个问题我早就想过了。我二十几岁的时候就想明白了。人生就是没有意义。”

我笑。二十几岁。人生的意义就是没有意义。这么早慧的一个男人。怪不得每次看到他都是怡然的感觉，毫无暴躁之气，不过也不可避免地透出几分暮气。

“我是才开始琢磨这件事的。我最近一直在想啊，我们活着有什么意思呢？小时候的那些理想，无论实现或者没有实现，现在都觉得就是那么回事。一个个孩子生出来，看着他们长大，时间嗖嗖地就过去了。难道我们这一辈子就这样了吗？再看看我们的父母，把我们辛辛苦苦养大，到老了需要我们的照顾，我们却一个个都不在身边。你说人一辈子是图什么呢？”他继续述说自己的迷惑之处。每一个抛出的问号都无比沉重。

还是那个男子回答他，“人一辈子图什么？就是图有个下一代，看着他们长大，然后完成任务。”

“就这样？”

“就这样！”

我在一旁听得笑死了。简直是动物派的繁衍论。

再看他的神情，显然那些问号并没有被说服。不过他却是平静了一些。大概是觉得那所谓的答案和他的问题相差不多。后来再见到他，恢复了从前衣冠楚楚的样子，却再没有那天在我印象中的迷茫可爱了。

另一个是刚过知天命年龄的男子。那是我第二次见到他。我们在一个饭桌上吃饭。我们一家子和他们一大家子。他越过所有人坐到我对面，跟我说，“我那天就不停地在公园里走，不停地追问上帝，为什么呢？为什么就没有人爱我呢？”

那一刻，他的家人就在他的身边，他的妻子，他的成年的孩子。她们听着，却仿佛没有听到一样地无动于衷，各自寻找着各自的谈话对象，各自消遣着各自的时光。

而他的言辞是那么诚恳而凄切，让我的脑海里清晰地浮现出他独自一人在公园里苦苦追问心中的上帝的情形。

那一刻我的内心是慌乱的。我没有想到他会对我这个几乎是陌生人的人说出这番话，这番内心里说给一个人听的话，我不知道该怎样安抚他，就像我不知道该怎么安抚一个哭泣的小孩。同时我又是惊讶的，惊讶于一个中年男人身处家人之中那份深切的无爱之感。怎样的家庭让一个人如此孤独无助，让他除去向上帝追问再无别的救赎之路？

静静地回味他的话又无端地想替他哭。或许是他太贪心，并不真的知道爱是什么，所以便觉得贫乏。又或许他只是我们内心深处不愿直面的自己。只是他偏执地要面对，不肯接受地提出质疑。

听说他后来信了上帝，无比虔诚，近乎疯魔。我听到这样的说法一笑，相比人，魔与仙或许更相近吧。

还有一次，在湖边，我跟老公的一位朋友聊天。也是刚过五十岁。

说到信仰。他也信了教。我问，你真的完全信了吗？

一边思考一边信。他笑着说。

这是我可以接受的答案。对于不允许质疑的宗教我是不会靠得太近的。不允许质疑就像不允许小孩子提问题一样。而我，即使人到中年，接受所有，我依然满脑子为什么。我相信只有追问，即使追问的过程像问号本身一样充满弯路，但最后只会越来越靠近通途，至于能否跨越最后的天堑，落到结局似的那一点答案就看各人的悟性了。

你说人究竟从哪里来的呢？他问我。

我笑。这是我家孩子们的问题啊。从妈妈的肚子里出来。当然，我这样回答连尘儿他们都骗不过去了。世界上的第一个人是从哪里来的呢？我已经被这样的问题折磨得疯过了。

“肯定不是从猿类进化来的。进化论总有一天会被推翻的。就像人类最终推翻地心说一样。不过，人究竟从哪里来的呢？也许我们只是上帝养在鱼缸里的鱼，供他把玩观赏。”他自说自答。我听得津津有味。

“人死后究竟有没有灵魂呢？难道真的死后什么都没有了吗？人的那些思想呢？记忆呢？那些可以与肉体分离的东西呢？人死以后，灵魂去哪里了？”他问我，更像是问自己。

那天对着湖水，我们谈论了很多这样悬而未解的问题。即使依然无解，却不妨碍我们谈得兴趣盎然。

未曾生我谁是我，生我之时我是谁？这样的追问，总会让人陡增魅力。

认识这么久了，从来没有觉得你原来这么有思想。我笑他。

他说从前他也从不想这些问题。是年纪。是年纪渐长渐渐地开始思索这些问题，这些与温饱无关，与生活本身无关的东西，因为虚无而充满让人思索的魅惑力。

我很赞同他的话。时光会慢慢地带给我们不一样的自己。现在的自己与过去不一样，年老的时候的自己也一定会与现在的自己不一样。所以很多智者是年老的人，因为经历，更因为思索。那种对于生命的消逝对于未来的掌控再也无能为力的时候，一个人的思想依旧会让他有别于苟苟营营的众生，发出醇厚而耀眼的光来。

这样想着，偷偷巡视一眼自己脑海里那些始终回旋荡漾的问号，便不再怕自己会变老了。
http://blog.wenxuecity.com/myblog/21220/201510/200252.html

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陇山陇西郡

Go against the flow: How dare!

Be Courageous

Who Decides Your Worth?

Walking in Love

Break Out of the Mold

Unique for a Purpose

1. Intimately get to know who you are and what you represent.

Without a crystal clear view of your identity, it will be difficult to survive the pressure and ridicule. Get to know yourself more. Spend time meditating, writing out your feelings, and organizing your thoughts before you make any big decisions.

2. Try not to take things personally.

3. Realize that you are unique and important, despite what the people around you may say.

******************************************************************
Motivation Speech

"Dare To Be Different"

Story highlights

陇山陇西郡

Go against the flow: How dare!

Be Courageous

Who Decides Your Worth?

Walking in Love

Break Out of the Mold

Unique for a Purpose

1. Intimately get to know who you are and what you represent.

Without a crystal clear view of your identity, it will be difficult to survive the pressure and ridicule. Get to know yourself more. Spend time meditating, writing out your feelings, and organizing your thoughts before you make any big decisions.

2. Try not to take things personally.

3. Realize that you are unique and important, despite what the people around you may say.

****************************************************************** Motivation Speech

"Dare To Be Different"

Story highlights

******************************************************************
Motivation Speech