Conforming to the definition of Non-Conformity.

“The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice, it's conformity.” 

Rollo May, 1953.

I have a challenge for you and I. I want us to think about this quote and apply it to our lives, and our view of others and ourselves. Ask yourself how much of who you are as a person is Self-created versus Other-created. Ask yourself how many of the ideas you hold precious are self-generated/self-examined versus planted by the molding pressures of conformity. Can you articulate and justify your beliefs and choices in your own words, or do you rely upon memorized lessons from childhood and the repeated mantras of your peer group? If you were alone on an island with all your survival needs met, would you remain as you are today? What thoughts and habits would you shed and to which would you hold fast and hone? When you rail against an idea or person with whom you disagree, ask yourself which of you is the conformist to the status quo and why. 

But, perhaps first you ought ask yourself if this quote is of any importance to you. I certainly don’t want you to conform to my own view of the woes of the world, nor do I think all conformity is cowardice. I rather like it when humans conform to the ideas of honesty over lying, logic over selective vision, and valuing life over killing each other.