I’m watching early concert footage of Bob Dylan on Public Television tonight, and it’s caused me to think about originality and bravery and about being true to yourself.
Now whether you like Dylan or not isn’t the point. The point is that he was a radical force to be reckoned with beginning in the early sixties, when things were stilled pretty conservative and buttoned-down. And he helped to change the world as we know it.
When you listen to early Dylan now, in retrospect, he’s not a great singer or a polished guitar virtuoso. But he is an original performer and a brave poet exposing societies ills and inequities as he saw it, and he’s always being true to Bob Dylan.
There’s a lesson in this for us all, whether we’re working to release an original package of self-development information (like I’m currently doing), or whether we’re bravely facing health or job situations that are less than we desire, or whether we are bravely striving to be true to the lives we choose and not particularly to please society or anyone else’s ideas about what’s right and proper.
It all starts with the inner work. You’ve got to get the person on the inside like you want him or her to be. Once you do that, don’t worry about what’s considered conventional or normal. Decide what you want to do and who you want to be, and just be true to that vision. Then everything else in your life will begin to align itself to bring that vision into reality.
It won’t always be easy, but it will always be fulfilling. Just like Dylan says in the following quote:
“A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to
bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do.”
Always be true to the vision you have of yourself.
Buz
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Buz,
This is so true. I’ve recently had an epiphany myself and realized what a huge relief it is to just be able to be who I am in all areas of my life.
Not that it hurts to look at how we’re reflected in other people’s eyes now and then – I believe that a lttle bit of outside input can be hugely helpful in keeping an eye on who I want to be.
But, when I allow myself to just let go and be me, it’s amazing how much more I accomplish.
Excellent post, Buz. And on target for me right now! I am learning so many new things at one time, and often it takes great courage to think of publishing on line — as with any kind of writing, it causes one to face all the vulnerabilies. I am breathing in confidence, breathing out fear. And learning fast as I can!
Thanks Buz, for posting this on your blog. Back in the day, I was not a fan of Dylan’s voice and guitar, but now, I am a major fan of what he was saying all along. Some people seem to be born knowing everything – and Dylan is one of those! Be true to yourself – thank you, Buz, for reminding of that very sage advise!
Blessing,s
Todd
Hi Buz… great post. The more you remain true to yourself and your Inner desires the more effective you are within society anyway… I was once told that I didn’t have to convince anybody what I wanted to do with my life — that was the best advise I have ever been given!
Best wishes
Jeanne
http://www.aspirationsplus.com
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