Humans, much like dogs, are social animals and as a result we tend to associate with people that we feel we have a connection with or are most compatible with.  Sharing beliefs and ideas with others helps us to feel a sense of belonging. It increases our self-worth and helps us to feel whole. Sometimes, the need to feel this connection with others overrides our own thoughts. We can start to feel torn between what we actually believe or feel and what those around us believe we should think or feel. It comes down to choosing ourselves or choosing society.

It can be hard to go against the grain but what happens when everyone believes the same things? The result is stasis. ­­­­No different viewpoints, no one to challenge the status quo. How can anything improve if no one is willing to speak up about their own thoughts? If no one offers suggestions or opposes how things are currently done, how will things ever change? Who will lead changes? If we listen attentively to those people, or to our own different viewpoints, they are the thoughts that initiate improvements.

Congruence; being true to ourselves, living by our own values and having our own opinions is more important to our personal happiness than fitting in. Being true to ourselves ensures that we are able to maintain balanced relationships with others. Knowing ourselves and our worth allows us to be open and honest about what we feel. Knowing ourselves allows us the contentment of feeling safe with no need to worry about the future, others opinions or the need to fit in but instead giving us the confidence to trust in our own selves and the courage to believe in our own individuality.