Non-Conformity and the Non-Conformist

"Society is jealous of those who remain away from it."
- Joseph Campbell

"Whosoever shall be a man must be a non-conformist."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

As an analysis of "Conformity and the Conformist" has already
been explored in a previous article, let us now turn our attention
to Non-Conformity and the Non-Conformist.

The Non-Conformist is the exact opposite of the Conformist. The
Non-Conformist looks at life entirely different than does the
Conformist. The Non-Confirmist lives his, or her, life by a set of
rules which are designed to both protect, and cultivate, their
personal Sovereignty and independent Thought.

Where the Conformist is easily swayed by Intimidation, "guilt
trips", and the false expectations and Opinions of others, the
Non-Conformist understands that these gimmicks are simply
levers which are used to manipulate the masses and to move
people in certain pre-ordained directions. Therefore, the Non-
Conformist is eternally vigilant so as to avoid these societal
entrapments.

Where the Conformist fears being exiled from a group, organization,
or even a segment of society (should their views, attitudes, and
behaviors not fall in line with the required expectations of these
entities) the Non-Conformist harbors no such fears; for the Non-
Conformist is much too busy blazing his, or her, own unique
Path into a new, uncharted, and Adventurous future.

Where the Conformist cringes at the prospect of not "fitting in", or
being ridiculed and gossiped about, The Non-Conformist finds these
everyday nuisances laughably unimportant. For the Non-Conformist
understands that personal Destiny is far more important than
the everyday bickerings of the masses.

The Non-Conformist values their individual Thoughts, unique
feelings, personal Sovereignty, mental expansion, and spiritual
pursuits far too highly to succumb to the fleeting and clouded
whims of the mainstream horde. A horde which is so often, and
so proudly, on the wrong side of so many important issues..

The Non-Conformist loathes giving up even one miniscule bit of
their Sovereignty and Free Will. To do so would be to go against,
and violate, their Divine Nature and Spiritual Principles.

For the Divine Nature of the Non-Conformist abhors the threat of
Sovereign damage that Conformity can bring unto it. And this,
in itself, makes it impossible for the Non-Conformist to voluntarily
Conform to the often misguided rules and false expectations of
other persons, groups, factions, organizations, and even society
itself.

The Non-Conformist watches from afar as the massive parade of
humanity passes by in its ceaseless march toward folly, Ignorance,
Self-Deception, and Self-Imposed Limitations.

Great advancements and achievements cannot be born from the
Conformist. Evolutionary, and revolutionary, achievements are
born from the Lone Wolf, the Trailblazer, Wizards and Wanderers,
and all Seekers who pursue new Horizons. For these are the True
Individuals who bask in the primeval sunshine, breathe the rarified
air, and walk the untrodden Paths which are only to be found in the
domain of the Non-Conformist.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2011

Horizons (Legendary Adventures)

"Beyond this point there be Dragons!"
-Old Mapmaker Legend

The Old Mapmakers had a unique way of describing the uncharted
and unknown expanses that lay beyond the Horizon. They would
Symbolically draw a line on the map that indicated the boundary of
the then-known world and inscribe the following:
"Beyond this point there be Dragons!"

This advised the Traveler that the lands and seas beyond this point
were uncharted and contained unknown dangers.

Needless to say, most people heeded the warnings of the
Mapmakers and did not risk Traveling beyond these boundaries.
However, every so often a Seeker would arrive whose curiosity
was too strong to be confined to an arbitrary line drawn by a
Mapmaker.

These Seekers enthusiastically ventured beyond the limits of
the then-known world, bravely venturing forth into the Realm
of Dragons. In their Quest into the Unknown they not only
encountered unknown dangers (Dragons), they also experienced
the Marvelous and the Wondrous. These Travelers discovered
Treasures both unknown and unimaginable.

As would be expected, these Adventures had a very profound
affect on these Travelers. When they finally did return to their
homeland they returned as a very Changed person. And although
these Travelers enchanted the masses with their tales of danger
and discovery, these masses could never truly understand and
appreciate what these Travelers had experienced and Learned.

A Rift of Experiences had developed between those who ventured
forth and those who remained behind. The "tempered excitements"
experienced by their countrymen who remained at home in no way
compared with the Legendary Adventures these Travelers had
experienced in the Realm of Dragons.

Although still friends, these two groups could never have the same
"bond" that they once shared. Those who stayed behind were just
as comfortable and correct with their Decision as those who
Traveled forth. The big difference was in their experiences. Those
who ventured forth experienced Dragons while those who remained
at home could only imagine Dragons.

Once the Traveler, Seeker, and Wanderer, ventures beyond the
Horizon of Familiarity, their Adventures and experiences change
them forever. And while the Traveler changes dramatically, those
who stay behind remain pretty much unchanged.

And so it is today. Those of us who leave our homeland and venture
forth to new lands, and realms, experience the same Changes in
ourselves that those Ancient Travelers experienced.

As with the Ancient Travelers, we also look forward to returning to
our homeland to enchant our friends and relatives with tales of our
Adventures. And although these people are interested in hearing
tales of "far away places with strange sounding names", their hearts
and minds belong to their "old neighborhood" and familiar friends.
Our Horizons have expanded while theirs have remained the same.

Although both sides are correct in their Decisions, it is we, the
Curious Traveler and Lone Wolf, who experience that discomforting
Melancholy when we return to visit the land of our youth. We
discover what all past Travelers, and Trailblazers, experienced:
that although we can go back "home", we can never return to that
free-spirited Home of our Past that lingers as a fond fairy-tale in the
deep recesses of our mind.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2008