“Don't let anyone tell you that you have to be a certain way. Be unique. Be what you feel.” - Melissa Etheridge

As I was on my way home this evening I found myself watching the night sky creep it's way into view--overpowering the warmth of the day. It seemed as if all earth's creatures were scampering away, trying to find a safe place to rest for the night. Then a large flock of birds caught my eye as they were swooping through the air. Hundreds, in a mass flying the exact same path. If the one in the front dipped, so did the hundreds behind. After watching this for a few moments, two thoughts came to mind. The first was 'who appointed that bird in the front, leader?' and the second, 'How that flock of birds exemplifies this cycle of life I find myself in.'

I find myself constantly allowing others to determine my path in life. Allowing them to make decisions for me that only I should make. Whether they are aware of the power I have given them or not, it is still there. It is sad to me that I would allow someone else to dictate aspects of my life when in the end I have to live with the consequences, not them. It's true, we live in a world in which our actions have an impact on those around us and same in return, but that shouldn't mean in my life that I let them determine the outcome. Fortunately, today, I am not talking about anything in particular, yet reflecting on where this course in life has taken me.

I pride myself on being an individual and not only that but independent from others. According to Webster's Dictionary Individualism is the 'privilege of determining one's own course of action'. I suppose if I plan to continue considering myself an individual I should start determining my own course of action and quit flying with the flock all the time but spread my wings and try a flight out on my own.