As I get older, I find it harder to remember whether I saw a video, photograph, or an article concerning some thing that happened.
Further, it’s always possible something one sees is not real—that can be a result of the something being “staged,” because of the ability to generate things via “artificial intelligence” (something I probably ought to write about at some point), or a number of other possible reasons.
That said, I recall a video or photograph, showing a man purportedly at a NAZI (German National Socialist party) rally, refusing to perform the salute now known as a symbol of support for Adolph Hitler.
Was it Hitler speaking? Was what I saw even real? I cannot say.
Assuming it was genuine, one might imagine the fellow in question may not have survived his supposed “lapse in support” for the ideas being floated by the NAZIs of that day.
It appears that nobody else in the crowd even noticed what happened with the guy in question—much less joined him in his apparent protest.
I bring this up because one of the “Conservative talkers” I listen to on a regular basis often talks about a video in which an individual gets up to dance alone at some event.
He likes to say that person is not the “person who matters” (paraphrasing). Instead—he insists—it’s the second person who stands to dance who does.
I entirely understand what he means; What he’s saying has merit.
What I want understood though, is that without that first person, there can be no second.
The power of that initial activity is, in point of fact, largely underestimated.
You see, not only does it take a great deal of courage to be that first person—after all, you are alone when you do that—but that person is often the one that gets others to really consider what’s occurring.
How many folks saw the individual not “acting properly” in that supposed NAZI rally? Who can even know the number there at the time who noted his behavior?
Remember though, that image or video has made its way around the Internet for a very long time now.
Simply put, that man’s action (or lack thereof) was preserved for posterity, and has been seen over and over again.
And even if at the time he did what he did, he was seen as a threat, or at least a foolish person; And even if he was punished (possibly killed) for his actions, that man stood on principal, and did so alone.
I certainly agree it would’ve been nice if another person (or obviously, more than one) had acted in kind. Even so, had others followed suit, they still would have been following suit.
I want to be clear again, I’m not at all against people following the lead of a trendsetter.
Thing is though, without there being a trendsetter, there’s nobody to follow.
I don’t advocate a person seeking to be “the original” just because—perhaps in my past, I might’ve done just that.
It’s about paying attention and refusing to accept things that ought not be accepted.
It can also be seeing things that should be and are not, and being the one who chooses to take the harder course of not “going with the flow.”
In none of this do I consider it reasonable to be unique for no cause.
Put another way, much of what happens is what needs to occur.
Please, for no reason, seek to “be different” when doing so is harmful to you or others.
Obviously, the question is, “How do I know the difference?”
Believe it or not, that’s not particularly hard to figure out.
If you look at a thing, and question whether or not it’s harmful or helpful, you’re ninety percent or better done with that battle.
All that aside though, it’s nothing like easy to be the “first to dance.”
Most folks fear rejection enough to not wish to court it.
To me, that’s reasonable, but it’s overbalanced by the idea of doing right when those around you fail so to do.
If it’s not, maybe you should come to the conclusion now isn’t the time.
If you see a person taking a stand, even if you think they’re wrong in what they believe, you should seriously considering reserving judgment of that individual without strong reflection before doing so.
Maybe they’re wrong—maybe though, they’re correct in what they’re doing or saying.
A helpful way to look at things, is to imagine yourself standing in that person’s place.
If nothing else, perhaps this will temper your response. It may not. You may come to the conclusion they’re mistaken. Then again, it may change your perspective just enough to come to appreciate what the person is trying to do or say even if you find you don’t agree.
My simple conclusion is this.
Having the courage to be the second or subsequent person to “get up and dance” is relatively impressive.
Being the one who stands first though, is frankly even more so.
You have to know you may get things thrown at you, people beating you or running you off, or worse.
This alone will be enough to keep many from being first.
Considering ongoing consequences like being “unfriended” or ignored, or rejected on an ongoing basis, make that even worse.
So remember, when you see someone doing something you would consider “out there,” it’s no simple thing for them to do that.
Are they always correct in what they do? Not nearly so.
Even then, the intestinal fortitude to do what they’re doing is something not so common.
Is being second (or even the one or ones after that) a matter of little to no consequence? No, but it’s not nearly the same as being the first.
As usual, thank you for reading. Here’s hoping things are going well for you, and that they continue to do so. If they’re not, let’s hope the future looks brighter for you!