ARE YOU AN INDIVIDUAL?

In a world where people mutually influence each other, what makes a person an individual? A person learns to do things by watching other people do them. The style of singing. The way of conversing. The color of preference. Even the way we tie our shoe laces, style our hair, or think. If a person is merely a hybrid of the characteristics of other people who acquired these same traits from other people, where does individuality come in?

If we speak of individuality, we usually think of uniqueness and originality. We sometimes think that in order to be an individual, we have to be different as a goth is to a geek. However, that's not what individuality actually is. If we merely try to be different, we can't call ourselves individuals, because this very decision to be different is due to what other people are. To be an individual, I believe, is to choose your own character and beliefs from the millions laid out before you based on your own judgment. It is not to be original or unique but to be standing where you want yourself to be. An individual does not compromise his beliefs nor his character to be part of anything such as an elite group or even a jologs group. He proves his worth not by conforming but by working well within the parameters of his taken stand.

Being an individual may sometimes take its toll, like being left out, cast out or what-not. But, at the end of the day, there's nothing more fulfilling than being able to look yourself on the mirror and see a you that you wanted to be not a you that others wanted you to be.