Adapt or Adopt? Choosing the Path that is Innately Yours

Do you sometimes find yourself trying to live up to somebody else’s expectations – be it your parents, peers or the society at large? How many of us live a life that we are supposed to live rather than truly want to live, constantly adapting? 

                                   

I feel our society clings to superficial values so much and indoctrinates us so effectively that we fail to recognize those values are not inherent in most of us. Being successful is a key element of the value system of the Western world. It is not bad in itself. However, as modern society is quite technocratic it seeks to determine tangible measures of success. Those measures are therefore outer attributes – something that can be seen – achievements, wealth, popularity, influence and the like. Being decent members of that socium we continuously strive to live up to those outer measures – in our own ways and according to the understanding we’ve learnt to believe is our own. Some of us are very good at achieving those milestones of success, some are less. What sounds ironic is that even among those who are successful many are not feeling fulfilled nor happy about it. Hence, psychological counseling, self-help books and worse – alcohol and drugs industries are flourishing. All because the measurement scale is innately flawed.

What if we would learn to recognize the real thing? If we would hear ourselves in the midst of that “society invoked noise” of superficial values? If we would learn from our early years that all sentient beings strive for true happiness, if parents would prioritize happiness over success when raising their kids and if we as adults would make a habit out of taking a moment to reflect on what makes us feel natural, authentic and connected to our inner selves, on what makes us happy and would go do that – the world around us would change. Because success does not equal happiness. At least not the outer success we’ve learnt to value. Happiness is in fact the real success. And if one looks closely, one sees that truly happy people are the ones smiling to the world, practicing kindness, willing to share and inspire those around them (or at least those who are open to be inspired…).

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Dr. Howard Thurman

Thus I dare you – take a moment to inspect yourself and understand whether the path you are on is the one leading you to real happiness instead of just superficial outer attributes of it. Reflect on whether things you have to do on your path seem natural to you. Ask yourself whether you can ADOPT those as an integral part of your life or do you continuously have to ADAPT, fight yourself and constantly force yourself to do those things. If it’s the latter maybe it is time to change something about your life? Start doing what makes you happy and allow the world benefit from it – I believe it is entirely possible! Do you? 

This text is an edited repost of my own post that I have originally posted in my personal blog here: https://myblissbubble.com/2015/04/22/adapt-or-adopt-choosing-the-path-that-is-innately-yours/