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You Don’t Have to Live the Life Everyone Else is Living
“Once in a while, it really hits people that they don’t have to experience the world in the way they have been told to.” -Alan Keightly
In Arnold Schwarzenegger’s autobiography, he reflected that one of the key moments of his youth was seeing a bodybuilder who wore glasses.
Until then, Schwarzenegger thought you could be either strong or smart — not both. But here was a man who was strong and smart (at least, the glasses made him look smart).
It was then he realized you didn’t have to choose just one identity — you could be everything you wanted.
I can relate. Growing up, it always seemed like you could be “A” or “B” — a jock or a thespian. A smart kid or a tough kid. Someone who parties or someone who goes to church.
But in high school, I did everything. I played Prince Charming in our school’s rendition of Into the Woods (something my wife mistakenly claims I tell people far too often). I was in drama and I played basketball. I was a quiet, soft-spoken guy with a small group of eclectic friends, but I was voted into the Big Man on Campus contest (another thing my wife claims I say too much).
You can be both. You don’t have to pick just one.
