Etched in the mind of every individual is a sketch of who they are and who they believe they’re becoming. In the modern world this dissonance seems to be mutating with every new update, images of the self habitually resting on what is liked opposed to what is actually done. With social acceptance of technological addiction many are spending more time constructing in digital life than physical reality, the call of vocation muffled by a frivolous stream of content.
Instead of searching for a viable calling, youths and adults are staring at and comparing with others. Although comparison leads to disillusionment, if spun the right way it can also escort in enhancement. By examining those individuals we admire and envy we can get valuable data on ourselves – those we admire have a skill or disposition we want to replicate, those envied achieving something to our distaste. In observing our feelings towards these personalities an avenue opens to learn more about our driest thirsts.
Heroes and Villains
The entities we admire hold a sacred place within our character – they are our heroes, rising above the ordinary to demonstrate techniques to sucking nectar from life. Whether we are conscious of it or not the impressions of those held in high regard mould temperament, we sculpt ourselves with their stencil of their outline.
From a young age we gravitate towards the paths of our idols and amplify connection with them, this attachment shaping adolescence and reverberating still in adulthood. As we mature our disposition changes along with those we aspire to emulate yet, unlike the younger self, one should not try to merely follow another’s path but blaze a unique trail.
It is of great assistance to observe the lives of those we hold with esteem and understand why we revere them, using their journey to inform not dictate our own. The admiration we develop for our idols illuminate many ways to become akin to them, however in blindly adherence to their course one’s prone to lose track of your own.
Another light on the expedition to fulfil vocation are individuals held with envy; although they may be disliked, they invoke sentiment and elucidate deep desires. Envy and jealousy share similarities but are different concepts. Jealousy surfaces when a person of similar stature achieves or attains something; envy is typically directed towards those perceived as “better off” with belief that their accolades are undeserved.
Hostilities don’t arise for trivialities and when an emotional response is produced underlying factors engender turbulence. If one is able to positively spin envious energy it can galvanize action – to see someone felt unworthy attain success can ignite the powder keg of ambition. When we focus on crafting our own track a better version of us can materialize, one more apt at realizing inner desire.
The Comparative Tint
Although the paths beaten by idols offer an auspicious guide one must be wary not to parallel their accomplishments with our own.
The instinct to gossip is nothing new to our species and has actually enhanced community cohesion. Unfortunately, in the contemporary world, attention to others goes way beyond one’s nearest with the ever-elongating tentacles of social media. When one becomes entangled in the exploits of others they forget to focus on themselves, and even when thinking of oneself it’s through a comparative tint.
Instead of investing time in juxtaposing the position of one’s heroes to ourselves we should compete only with our former selves, the authentic scale of our advancement. “If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it’s stupid”; when others become the barometer of success we misconstrue the importance of individuality.
Since the excessive accumulation of capital became a societal “triumph” unwarranted gravity has been granted to material possessions. Aside from this assessment is the separation of morality that often accompanies such affluence.
The idea of being rich has blurred perspectives on what constitutes right and wrong, many blinding themselves from nefariousness if it yields the desired result. An individual may be able to amass wealth from questionable means and appear happy, yet internal discord, whether conscious or unconscious, is never too distant from a person whom trades morality for capital. The untamed shadow of the psyche has palpable presence to cause chaos in the mind.
To ripen into the best image of oneself, Nietzsche’s Ubermensch, integrity and decency are primary conductors. When we look at those we admire and envy we must consider what is in them we wish to replicate and congeal an effigy we can work towards. For some it only may become clear on their deathbed that what really matters isn’t what one has, but who they share it with.
The body persistently sends messages throughout its composition telling us what we need and desire – if we listen closer and contemplate deeper the calling inside will resonate louder. By examining the individuals we admire and envy we unlock the potential for deciphering the internal voice, using the journey of others to guide our own expedition.
The people we hold in high regard have great influence within us and although honouring them is apt, one should abstain from trying to become them. The greatness inside oneself can only flourish on a path of our own creation. In the quest to become who you want to be be careful to not untether from who you really are.
Image Source: Chairish
The Contemporary Human 