How You Gonna Win When You Ain't Right Within (Archived)

"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation."
-Oscar Wilde

Our generation is a tricky one. On one hand, there is so much potential; we're creative, talented, intelligent, enthusiastic and funny, all the while with infinite opportunities resting at our fingertips. And yet, with all of these promising qualities, there seems to be a major distraction. So many of us are more concerned with being accepted and blending in with the "norm" than with being true to our unique personalities and tastes.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I can't truly appreciate a person until I am able to see who they truly are; when their guard is down and genuine thoughts and personalities shine through. I love silliness, curiosity, random ideas, true laughter, passion, and everything else in between. When those qualities that make a personality unique are exposed, that person shines a bit brighter.

Unfortunately, some of us have forgotten the importance of being able to stand out in a crowd. People are not truly happy. They are too busy pretending to like what a crowd of people are blindly following, all the while not even liking each other. News flash everyone, we don't all have to have the same taste in music, fashion, men/women, etc. There's no need to be a photo copy of the person who gets the most "likes" on social media. What works for one does not work for all.

What makes a person stand out in my eyes?

Genuine passion; that shit is contagious. When someone is so wrapped up in their own interests, hopes, and dreams, they don't have much time to try and follow the goals of a crowd. Talk to me about what makes you tick, how you plan on conquering your own world. Introduce me to things I've never heard of before. I'm drawn to this type of quality in any person, they unknowingly push me to want the same for myself.
Being able to hold a conversation that isn't generic. When I say generic, I mean only being able to speak and have an opinion on what everyone else is talking about at the time. Who's dating who, who wore what, the latest pop culture gossip. That's cool and everything, but...anything else going on with you?? My mind needs stimulation beyond that. Be an interesting person to talk to and people will gravitate towards you.
Don't be afraid to show your silly, quirky side. I don't understand why some haven't caught on to this yet. While some are trying to hard to fit in by being "flawless", they could actually enjoy themselves instead and still achieve their goal. The charm that a funny person has could distract me time and time again. Making a stupid joke or a silly face are simple gestures that make a person so easy to be around. I love the good vibes I get from those I can laugh with. No it won't make you look stupid, it'll make you easy to relate to; a good time.
Be unapologetically YOURSELF. The dopest people I've ever met haven't had a certain swag or been the most well known. They're the people who carry themselves with confidence. Those who allow their own unique qualities to shine through with no hesitation or imitations. Just raw and real and true. That's who I strive to be. Forget the hairstyle that everyone is rocking or the crowd that everyone is trying to be a part of. Give me a few dope people to vibe with and I'm a happy girl.