Personal - #501 - #17 - Are you an “Individual” or a “Happy Follower”?

Do you just “light fires” and then sit back?
Do you have a “successful alternative?”
Do you “just go along” and “follow” like sheep in a herd?

An “Individual” has ideas and principles of his own. He has studied alternatives and has chosen “his own” particular way. He has taken advantage of opinions and ideas from others and has blended them into a mix that suits himself. He has his “own” blend.

A “Follower” takes the ideas from another as his own. He has no independent thoughts, but rather, has accepted the thoughts and opinions of another as his ‘own”. He has no point of view except the point of view of his “another”. He does not question the authority or content of his “another”. He makes the information and opinions that he’s given as his “own”…. no questions asked! He is “happy” for others to do his thinking. It is much safer to believe in the doctrine of “another” than to go through the grief and indecision of trying to think things out for himself. He is a “Happy Follower”.

So what’s the problem?

If, by chance, the information and opinions of “another” are NOT correct, are NOT lasting, are NOT satisfactory over the long run… where are you as an individual with no base to fall back on? Just suppose the information upon which you so blindly lean for the basis of your life turns out to be less than satisfactory …. Where do you go? … What do you do?

You have given your life, your very existence, to the thoughts and opinions of “another”. You are without defenses. You have become totally vulnerable. Your only defense will come from the internal challenges you bring to the thoughts on which you so firmly rely. The very idea of a challenge to test your presupposed ideas and content are your only “safety net”. These extreme “challenges” give you intellectual strength. The desire to personally “understand and define” will give you a reason to “rely” on other ideas more.

Mere “acceptance” can only lead to confusion an despair. What “alternatives” will you have if you have not tried to “understand”?

By the way, what harm is there in trying to “challenge” and trying to “personally define” ? If you feel any trepidation about “trying”, just think about it! Think about what was just written!!!

Are you willing to risk your life on the beliefs of “others”?
Are you willing to turn the success of your own life to the opinions of “others”?

Are you a “Happy Follower” or an “Individual”?