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Josh C
  • Josh C
  • New York, NY
  • United States

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How do YOU escape from your "self"?

1) Can you remember a time when you felt at one with your surroundings? When you felt free and open, when you later looked back and said "I wasn't myself then"? What caused this shift of identity? What allows you to lose your sense of self-consciousness, your pride, your ego and leave all worries aside because you are temporarily separated from your projected self? What is your method of escape? Dance, music, art, perhaps acting?

2) Do you believe that there is a true "you" in the first place? Or do you believe that the "self" is just a mask that you put on each morning? If so, can you apply a new mask, or would you just be acting? Do you think if you consistently wear that new mask, over time, it will become the new essence of "you"? Or do you believe that your essence is permanent and unchangeable and that you can only "pretend" to alter your essence on the exterior?

Related Talks:
Topics: identity projection of self self-awareness
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    Debra Smith 200+

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    Jun 28 2012: You read and experience life through other eyes.
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    Beste Arslan

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    Jun 28 2012: Lovely question :) For me its writing( mostly poetry,song lyrics etc...) and trying to look at events,experiences,people etc.. from as many different perspectives as possible,so in the end i escape from only looking out of my own little window.
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    pat gilbert 100+

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    Jun 25 2012: You don't. The question is what is organic to you and what is not. You spend your entire life extracting what is not and becoming what is you.
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      Josh C

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      Jun 25 2012: I like that concept. You gradually rid yourself of the things you don't need and in the end you are YOU in the most raw, authentic form.
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    Kevin Jacobson

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    Jun 25 2012: When I'm tired after acting "normal" by middle school standards, when I get home, I be myself, not "avoid" myself.
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      Josh C

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      Jun 25 2012: I completely understand. We feel as if we need to project a false image of normalcy in order to be accepted by our peers and society. I think that people need to learn to overcome this, however, because I feel that embracing our individuality, which includes our "flaws" or strange and different ways of acting and behaving, is what shapes a truly happy human being. If you're enthralled with your own personality (humbly) and passionate about who you are and what makes you different, you can utilize this strength to be successful. If you know and love yourself, and are willing to showcase yourself to the world, you'll be invulnerable. You'll be open yet impenetrable. However you act when you get home and are by yourself, act this way in public. Rid yourself of the fear of rejection because rejection is something every single human faces in various ways throughout their lives. But the strong get over it and learn from it and move on. The strong are the prosperous because they don't let themselves get held back. Fear holds us back. Accept who you are as a unique person and proceed to live your life just as that, as YOU. Just remember: anyone can be a second-rate someone else, but only you can be a first-rate you. Let your freak flag fly.
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        Kevin Jacobson

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        Jun 25 2012: I never thought that deep in to it. You have my thanks.
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