{"id":164,"date":"2012-12-27T07:07:00","date_gmt":"2012-12-27T07:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.epicliving.com\/epic\/the-problem-with-conforming\/"},"modified":"2012-12-27T07:07:00","modified_gmt":"2012-12-27T07:07:00","slug":"the-problem-with-conforming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.epicliving.com\/epic\/the-problem-with-conforming\/","title":{"rendered":"The Problem with Conforming"},"content":{"rendered":"

Celebrating the best of the Epic Living Blog, 2012. Enjoy!<\/em><\/p>\n

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OK, you've got that feeling of safely, relief and security. And best yet, you didn't get in trouble. You wipe your brow and let out a quiet "whew." You just conformed and all is well with the world.<\/p>\n

Or is it?<\/p>\n

Often we associate conforming with other words like "doing what's practical" or "sometimes you have to compromise." We're good liars. Choosing conformity<\/a> is usually the result of a lack of willingness to make a stand or plain old fear-fear of loss. <\/p>\n

Our brains are complicit in this too. It sends those feelings, hormones, etc. to confirm we've made a good decision. But we forget that over time our brain is just responding based on our habits and tendencies. So, if you're used to not making a stand, then your brain wants to protect you and conforming is the result.<\/p>\n

Conforming seemed "right" when we lived in the industrial age<\/a>. You remember, do the same thing day-in and day-out. The factory or office didn't require much more from you, other than showing up. But things have changed and now conformity is not what's needed (if it ever was). The problem with conforming is staring us right in the face. And in many areas of our culture we're looking away.<\/p>\n

If you're a non-conformist (like me), be encouraged you're not alone. Check-out this site<\/a> as an example of this. If you find yourself being more of a conformist, then I would seriously consider the dangerous place in-which you reside. In the age we find ourselves in, conforming is a block and a hindrance.<\/p>\n

Some final thoughts that warrant your attention:<\/p>\n