Thank you for sharing your thoughts; I really appreciate the candidness. I agree that group-free thinking can be isolating, especially if you haven't yet found the right people for you (i.e., people who value originality and free thought, not necessarily people who agree with your specific takes).
But what's the alternative? To teach yourself how to conform and lose your individuality, dignity, and self-trust? I can't imagine that anyone would feel better abandoning their originality in order to gain the acceptance and "friendship" of others. This, too, would feel isolating with enough time. Incidentally, I recently finished reading Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay on Self-Reliance. I think reading it every now and then is necessary to provide a much needed refresher on *why* it's so important to remain true to oneself.
And great thoughts on rising above the conformity of Arab (and other highly collectivist) culture. It's a painful process, but well worth it (assuming you are not putting your life at risk).
Thank you for sharing your thoughts; I really appreciate the candidness. I agree that group-free thinking can be isolating, especially if you haven't yet found the right people for you (i.e., people who value originality and free thought, not necessarily people who agree with your specific takes).
But what's the alternative? To teach yourself how to conform and lose your individuality, dignity, and self-trust? I can't imagine that anyone would feel better abandoning their originality in order to gain the acceptance and "friendship" of others. This, too, would feel isolating with enough time. Incidentally, I recently finished reading Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay on Self-Reliance. I think reading it every now and then is necessary to provide a much needed refresher on *why* it's so important to remain true to oneself.
And great thoughts on rising above the conformity of Arab (and other highly collectivist) culture. It's a painful process, but well worth it (assuming you are not putting your life at risk).