The Unsurmountable Pressure

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The ability of others to influence our every thought and deed is a social phenomenon. It truly indicates that we seek to be revered in any fashion. If we can not receive reverence we at least expect acceptance or recognition of some sort. It is an intrinsic element of who we are as humans. It is engrained in our DNA. Just as the Dr. Cain stumbles about under the unsurmountable pressure from colleagues, administrators, and students; so we too face a myriad of pressures.
I will be the first to admit that pressure from friends and family have really shaped me. I also know that they have their appropriate place in my life. To quote an old adage, “All things in good moderation.” Despite all the extensive efforts that I make to maintain a level of exclusivity in regard to such influences, I succumb the same to outside pressures. For instance, if we venture back a few years, we find a young man seeking to stand out.
When I was a freshman in high school, I was told that I was the second fastest freshman to ever attend my school (pertaining to running). It all began with a phone call. I hearing my radio recorded ringtone version of, "Lean wit It, Rock wit It" a song by Atlanta rap group Dem Franchize Boyz sound off. I immediately answered it, for I am not one with the desire to listen to incessantly long ringtones. “Hello”, I replied nonchalantly. In response I heard the genuinely ever familiar voice of my XC (cross country) coach reply,” Hi Bill”. He was calling me to inform me that I was the most naturally gifted runner that he had ever had the good fortune of coming across. I was on cloud nine, and from that point coach, parents and a few athletes were all cheering for me to help the team make history.
As the season progressed, I tra...

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... I had begun to let others dictate my path and not allow myself direction. As a result of such frivolous actions, I was not only left, maimed the remainder of the season, but also until this day. This is a lesson I will carry with me to my grave.
In retrospect I believe that we are all a bit like Dr. Cain in some ways. I think that for the most part we all want to fit within the bounds of normality, yet not lose ourselves. In our quests, as I did we all try to balance out the impossible task of personal need vs desire. The ability to maintain conviction and fit in seems so obscured amidst the confusion and mixed messages from those around us. I have learned despite my failures, or maybe because of my failures that such things are not trivial. As humans we must find ourselves and not lose sight on what makes us who we are by succumbing to the mindless social cliques.

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