y be, all have one simple thing in common. All cultures mandate conformity, a shedding of the individual and an acceptance of the mainstream majority.

Now, please do not misinterpret this message. I am not suggesting that conformity is a bad thing. The undeniable fact is simply that conformi

It happens to each one of us, sooner or later.

Inevitably, there comes a time when each one of us is left alone in the dark, and each of us must choose his next steps. Perhaps now is that moment for you. Maybe you have reached a turning point in your relationship with your significant other. Perhaps now is the moment that you realize the company and people you THOUGHT you worked for lack the integrity you believed they possessed.

Maybe it is something more personal, such as a medical crisis that you, alone, must overcome. Or perhaps it is that sudden realization when you know that all your work, all your effort, is simply NOT going to reap the rewards you had planned.

So, the natural question is "What do I do now?"

When you reach this point, it becomes frightening. The path becomes cloudy and the road unclear. You begin to doubt your own internal beliefs and desires and look to external sources for clarity, guidance and support. We look to others for what is acceptable, desirable and appropriate. And why do we do this?

We do this because each one of us is conditioned from birth to do so. Our combined cultures, as varied as they may be, all have one simple thing in common. All cultures mandate conformity, a shedding of the individual and an acceptance of the mainstream majority.

Now, please do not misinterpret this message. I am not suggesting that conformity is a bad thing. The undeniable fact is simply that conformi

Perhaps now is the moment that you realize the company and people you THOUGHT you worked for lack the integrity you believed they possessed.

Maybe it is something more personal, such as a medical crisis that you, alone, must overcome. Or perhaps it is that sudden realization when you know that all your work, all your effort, is simply NOT going to reap the rewards you had planned.

So, the natural question is "What do I do now?"

When you reach this point, it becomes frightening. The path becomes cloudy and the road unclear. You begin to doubt your own internal beliefs and desires and look to external sources for clarity, guidance and support. We look to others for what is acceptable, desirable and appropriate. And why do we do this?

We do this because each one of us is conditioned from birth to do so. Our combined cultures, as varied as they may be, all have one simple thing in common. All cultures mandate conformity, a shedding of the individual and an acceptance of the mainstream majority.

Now, please do not misinterpret this message. I am not suggesting that conformity is a bad thing. The undeniable fact is simply that conformi

hat all your work, all your effort, is simply NOT going to reap the rewards you had planned.

So, the natural question is "What do I do now?"

When you reach this point, it becomes frightening. The path becomes cloudy and the road unclear. You begin to doubt your own internal beliefs and desires and look to external sources for clarity, guidance and support. We look to others for what is acceptable, desirable and appropriate. And why do we do this?

We do this because each one of us is conditioned from birth to do so. Our combined cultures, as varied as they may be, all have one simple thing in common. All cultures mandate conformity, a shedding of the individual and an acceptance of the mainstream majority.

Now, please do not misinterpret this message. I am not suggesting that conformity is a bad thing. The undeniable fact is simply that conformi

al beliefs and desires and look to external sources for clarity, guidance and support. We look to others for what is acceptable, desirable and appropriate. And why do we do this?

We do this because each one of us is conditioned from birth to do so. Our combined cultures, as varied as they may be, all have one simple thing in common. All cultures mandate conformity, a shedding of the individual and an acceptance of the mainstream majority.

Now, please do not misinterpret this message. I am not suggesting that conformity is a bad thing. The undeniable fact is simply that conformi

y be, all have one simple thing in common. All cultures mandate conformity, a shedding of the individual and an acceptance of the mainstream majority.

Now, please do not misinterpret this message. I am not suggesting that conformity is a bad thing. The undeniable fact is simply that conformity is necessary for civilized society to exist. Were it not for the phenomena of conformity, social norms such as the laws of the collective "People" against murder, theft and assault would not exist. Without such norms, it would be impossible for people to live together and interact in society, because when there are no boundaries, any and all interaction, including violence, is acceptable. So, no, I am NOT suggesting that conformity is bad.

I am, however, suggesting that conformity can become, and is often used as, a scapegoat. Because when you reach a turning point in your life, and you begin to look outward at the external sources for direction, it becomes very easy to ignore your own beliefs in favor of following the direction of the majority.

The truth is that cultural and social expectations influence the course of your life choices. We rarely stop to question whether the choices we have made are placing us on the path that we want to take or are keeping us in line with expectations set by others.

By turning this blind eye, by failing to examine your own beliefs and values, you are let off the hook in a sense. You are not required to think about you