Changing Yourself For Others

Changing yourself for others is a dangerous proposition. Don’t take my word for it, listen to this example from Eddie Murphy.

The man had a one in a million laugh that launched a career. His laughter was infectious; the sound of his laugh alone inspired others to laugh, experience happiness, and feel joy.

Early in his career, Eddie Murphy misinterpreted a social signal, as we all do, by observing it through the lens of self awareness and self consciousness. Within this short video clip there’s a hint he also feared his laugh was detracting from his craft and that only by getting rid of it could he be certain he was skillfully funny – so he eradicated his laugh.

He changed his laugh.

Eddie Murphy normalized his uniqueness. He threw away something unique and wonderful.

He’s not alone in doing so; you and I have inflicted the same self-injury upon ourselves at some point in our lives. You may be in the process of changing yourself to conform right now, as you read this. Pause and give meaningful thought to the cost of conformity, to any ideal, because the thing that is so ‘uniquely you’ may just be the most beautiful thing about you.

#personality #conformity #uniqueness #beauty #selfConsciousness #psychology