I've been struck with the concept lately that conformity can be a good thing AND a bad thing. First of all, conformity happens. Period. You conform to whatever you give your heart to. Studies have now shown that spouses are more likely to adopt the "bad habits" of the other spouse. Studies also reveal we tend to conform to who we hang out with, what we listen to, what we watch, etc. HOWEVER, conformity can be a good thing....My greatest compliment as a parent came to me recently. What was it? Realizing one of my kids wants to be just like me. Here, conformity is a good thing. My point? We need to be careful that we are conforming to right standards of character, communication and leadership. If for no other reason, so that those trusting in our leadership will also conform towards greatness as well. No greater compliment could be given than seeing those "followers" desiring to be like you.
What's key then? Focusing on what we should be conforming to helps us avoid conforming to what is negative in nature. When we purpose to conform to greatness and bear that greatness daily, we are that light bulb that reminds other light bulbs what our purpose is and what could be possible.
Leadership helps others conform to what we are currently trying to conform to also.
Picture taken from http://faithoncampus.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/stand_out.jpg
It doesnt have to mean you have to look up to someone if you wanna be good ! You just gotta belaive your self and do all what you need to do by yourself.Sometimes it is good to find roll model when you lose your way but when you got on right path do not forgot what your goal is and dont let others beat that goal because it doesnt matter which place you take or will you win that game,what matters is what you discover in yourself !
ReplyDeleteI think that when you are thinking about who to follow or conform to it is important to remember that you still need to be yourself and remember your values not just go along with what others say. I think we tend to follow the positive peple so I try to do my best as a role model because you never know who is watching you and following your example. Always be who you were meant to be !
ReplyDeleteI think its good to follow those who have the same goals as you, and are a little further down the road than you are. Then you can look to them for help, since they were once in your position. Being part of any group can be powerful, but at the same time, may not be leading exactly to where you want to go. Then you are called to be an individual
ReplyDeleteI see conformity happen in my life all the time...for the good and the bad. I see myself pick up on my friends' habits and my family's habits. But when I look back, I realize that I do pick up on some of their bad habits. It is important to remember what and WHO is really important to you. Who should you really be spending your time with? Find friends that have similar values as you. Then you can both influence off of each other. And the people who don't have your values...put a good influence on them!
ReplyDeletei think conformity is something that happens to us unknowingly sometimes.you might be hanging out with bad friends and you may be think you wont pick up their habits but before you discover it you have picked some of their habits.its always better to be with people who add value to your life
ReplyDeleteI think conforming is a good thing as long as you are aware to what you are conforming to, and if it is the right path for you. Trying to be like someone is a good thing if they are a good example, but you can not be scared to be your own person.
ReplyDeleteConforming can be good if what you're influenced by is positive or negative. If you conform to a group of people that do things that you would like to see yourself do, that's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteConforming can be a bad thing if you have some bad influence with who you are around. If you feel you are influencing people in a bad way, maybe you should check yourself and see if you might be the problem. If you believe you are giving off the right influence then you should be happy with the people around you.
ReplyDeleteI believe that wanting to be like a person is okay to an extent. You cant be exactly like them. You have to be your own person and make your own life yours. You cant be just like that person, its not right. You also need to be an individual. Making your own choices and decisions but looking up to someone and getting help from them to influence your decisions.
ReplyDeleteI believe conforming can both be good and a bad concept. I believe I have developed some characteristics from my parents which was a good aspect of it. Some kids parents can give you negative and very bad influences which causes a lot of bad kids because they adopt these traits. I have also come too learn that this summer who I hung out with changed my way of acting, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but can be good at times.
ReplyDeleteI think conforming can be a good thing, it doesn't mean its bad. I think conforming to a bad habit is easier than to a positive one though. For example say you exercise everyday in high school but when you get to college you decide to hangout with your friends then stay up all night studying and eating junk food. That's a major change for someone.
ReplyDeleteWe all conform in some way or another whether or not we try to. If we can conform to something positive that's good but there is also the side of conforming to negativity. The people you are around are going to be the people that influence you.
ReplyDeleteWe all will conform to our peers in someway or another whether we know it or not. It's what we take from those peers that is important. If you focus on the negatives then you will most likely adopt those same negatives but if you focus on the positives you will adopt the positives. So remember to always focus on the positives of others so you don't adopt the negatives.
ReplyDelete