It?s Good to be Goofy


To paraphrase a saying my mother liked to use occasionally, "The whole world is goofy ? except you and me. And sometimes I'm not too sure about you!"

Rest assured that no matter who we are or what we do, there is at least a handful of people somewhere in this world who are convinced that we're not rowing with both oars in the water. If you've been following along with some of the other blogs, you know that this is absolutely normal. Since no two of us have had exactly the same informational inputs and experiences in our lives, our programming will be different which will of course, prompt us to develop different perspectives of the events and situations we encounter. That produces differences of opinion and occasional conflicts. That's just the way life is.

So why the heck then, do so many of us spend so much time and energy trying to convince folks otherwise? We try to make sure that we do the "right" things so we'll blend in with the rest of the crowd. We say and do those things that are acceptable to "the group" ? our friends, family and co-workers. We try really, really hard to fit the mold that we believe others would approve of. We sell our individuality for a reassuring nod and a pat on the back.

And yeah, I realize that sometimes our work requires us to generally reflect the "corporate attitude" in the things we say and do. It helps keep the coins flowing in. And there's certainly no good reason to continually be a butthead just to see how many people we can aggravate today. (Of course, it is sort of fun to stir the pot once in a while to see what happens, isn't it?) I realize too, that we all have our individual reasons for wanting to be accepted and liked. That's OK to a point. But when one of our main objectives in life is to be universally loved, we're just spinning our wheels because it ain't agonna happen.

My suggestion? Just be you ? whatever "you" happens to be today. Be goofy! Let it all hang out, baby! You can't control what other folks think about you anyway. (Influence - yes, control ? no?) If you have what you believe is a valid opinion ? about anything ? express it. It's not necessary to be argumentative or confrontational. That can quickly build walls and become an obstacle to any kind of productive communications. But there's nothing at all wrong with being a creative, independent thinker. Can you imagine what the world would be like if these types of individuals had never existed? We'd still all be huddled in caves wondering where our next meal was coming from. Thank God for goofiness!

So the next time you have a major urge to conform just for conformity's sake ? force yourself out of the cave and introduce your personal new "wheel" concept to the world. And whenever you see someone else wandering off in what you might immediately feel is likely a weird direction, at least give 'em a pat on the back for having the courage to be themselves and the initiative to try to blaze a new path through life. This world can always use more thinkers ? even the really goofy ones!

About The Author

Gene, through NuPathz.com, provides an easy reading self-help blog, articles and links along with affordable books and materials written to help folks find the road to a more enjoyable lifestyle, to pass on some of life's "secrets for survival" in a chaotic world & offer a few smiles along the way. It's a down-to-earth, simple approach to discovering a better life. You can visit Gene at http://www.nupathz.com/

gene@nupathz.com







Related News




Why our happiness is taking a dive - The Canberra Times

Why our happiness is taking a dive
The Canberra Times, Australia -2 hours ago
BY MICHAEL RUFFLES For the first time in seven years men are feeling better than women, but overall happiness is taking a dive as inflation hits the hip ...
Women's wellbeing linked to CPI: surveyThe Age
Women aren't as upbeat as menSydney Morning Herald
Rising prices to blame for miseryAdelaidenow
The Age
all 152 news articles

Sorry, Germaine, but for most families, happiness remains vaguely ... - Times Online

Sorry, Germaine, but for most families, happiness remains vaguely ...
Times Online, UK -Aug 26, 2008
For most families, happiness remains vaguely house-shaped. The abyss of repossessions and negative equity we are now in is deplorable: and after watching ...

Happiness may protect against cancer - The Australian

BBC News

Happiness may protect against cancer
The Australian, Australia -Aug 25, 2008
After questioning more than 600 women – include 255 breast cancer patients – about life experiences, happiness and depression, researchers found optimists ...
Research: Severe life events raise breast cancer riskXinhua
Happiness'can cut breast cancer risk by a quarter'Hindu Business Line
Happiness may protect against breast cancer, study suggestsTelegraph.co.uk
Jerusalem Post - Irish Health
all 163 news articles

Why happiness is a postcode lottery - Independent

Times Online

Why happiness is a postcode lottery
Independent, UK -42 minutes ago
It is the conclusion of a survey attempting to measure happiness across the country, not by focusing on income, health and quality of life in a given area, ...
Rainy Manchester may need defending, but it scores highly in ...Times Online
Auld Reekie is the most miserable place to live in BritainTimes Online
all 3 news articles

Sahara Centre spreads light of happiness this Ramadan - AME Info

AME Info

Sahara Centre spreads light of happiness this Ramadan
AME Info, United Arab Emirates -13 hours ago
Sahara Centre's 'Spreading the light of happiness' campaign marks the beginning of a noble initiative during the Holy Month. ...

Fisher: Happiness is an empty nest - San Jose Mercury News

Fisher: Happiness is an empty nest
San Jose Mercury News,  USA -Aug 26, 2008
By Patty Fisher I fingered the cell phone in my pocket, wondering if it was ever going to ring. It had been more than 40 hours since we'd hugged our younger ...

Despite Down Economy, Workers’ Spirits Still Up, Says Annual Job ... - Business Wire (press release)

Despite Down Economy, Workers’ Spirits Still Up, Says Annual Job ...
Business Wire (press release), CA -10 hours ago
While worker happiness is trending upwards slightly, the US labor force is expressing marked concern over the nation’s economy. ...
High energy prices getting you down? At least you’re workingBizjournals.com
all 10 news articles

A Salmon's Tale: Why Happiness Beats Going Belly Up - Area Developer

A Salmon's Tale: Why Happiness Beats Going Belly Up
Area Developer, CA -8 hours ago
Americans have more material possessions to show for the effort, but at the same time studies show a diminishing level of "happiness. ...

Accepting your appearance key to happiness - Burnaby Now

Accepting your appearance key to happiness
Burnaby Now, Canada -12 hours ago
But beyond meeting our real needs, increasing income does not ensure happiness or even satisfaction. Some of the unhappiest people I have met have much more ...

the world is becoming a happier place - guardian.co.uk

the world is becoming a happier place
guardian.co.uk, UK -6 hours ago
The researchers who compiled the data believe increasing levels of happiness were not picked up until now because studies have tended to focus on rich ...
Why the world is a happier placeNew Scientist (subscription)
all 2 news articles