The purpose of life is most certainly an appraisal made on an individual perspective.
Naturally, I do not believe I hold the power to tell you what the purpose of your life is, just as much as you don’t wield the authority to explain mine to me.
But authentic happiness and true fulfillment must surely top the list of what we could all agree on as a universally accepted certainty for what we want, or should want, within the finite time we spend on this planet.
In that, I read a very interesting article recently showcasing a social experiment created by Harvard psychology professor Ellen Langer where findings indicated the reality that dressing old can make you feel and behave older.
“Most people try to dress appropriately for their age, so clothing in effect becomes a cue for ingrained attitudes about age,” explained Langer.
Now here is the curious point…
What if you actively opted to erase that cue from your sightline?
Not in an act of vanity or for the mere aesthetic principle (although, I wouldn’t consider that to be negative or shallow in the least if it’s how you opted to conduct yourself) but in the interest of cofounding expectations…
… Not societal necessarily, but expectations of self.
The way you choose to speak.
The way you opt to think.
The way you elect to communicate.
And yes, the way you to decide to dress, are all measures of a self-fulfilling prophecy that have and will continue to dictate the path of your life.
Just because aging men are ‘supposed’ to dress a certain way, doesn’t mean they have to.
Just because non-University educated people are ‘expected’ to speak with a particular vocabulary, doesn’t imply they must.
Just because those who have gone through horribly difficult and emotional turmoil in life are ‘allowed’ to be cynical or pessimistic, doesn’t suggest they should or decide to.
Choices exist for us every day and within virtually every moment.
And of course, my hope is that this prose helps you understand both the pretense of that truth, as well as encourage you to make the best possible choices that align with your greatest purpose.
But there is one last thing I would ask that you consider deeply…
Aside from clothing, attire and fashion, do you have any other ‘cues’ in your life that condemn you to believing certain, limiting things?
What are they?
And do you realize that you could, if you decide to do so, erase them from your sightline?
The fact I’ve confounded societal expectations my entire life has been the very lifeblood of my own success… And these are my most critical 7 lessons for you:
What are your cues? Scroll down and leave your comments below…
Ignore the Rules; Inspire the Extraordinary Within
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BG
Brian,
Thank you so much for this post. It affirms my experiment this coming year. Perception vs. reality. We choose are own reality. http://nickianderson.com/?p=1339
Yes, we do choose. I just read the blog that you provided in your link. Brilliant.
You make me heart happy, Nicki <3
Great read. <3
I’ve alway found this a strange subject.
You read ‘fashion’ or ‘style’ magazines and you constantly read, men/women over 25 shouldn’t weqar this, over 30 – this and these, over 40 and definitely don’t even walk past the shops that sell those
Although I do belive some people do dress ‘ to look younger than they are’ which makes you think they may have other issues.
I have always dressed (in my iopinion and frequently the opinion of others) stylish, fashionable, but always with a Craig twist.
Now I am 42, I still dress the way I feel, still wear denims (honestly) still browse style magazines, shops etc.
But I still buy what I feel good in, what I think I look good in, because this is me, I love clothes, I like nothing more than knowing what looks good and trying to fiond that look, but with my twist, whether thats becaus eI get it from a thrift shop and adapt it, or find something I already own and adapt that.
Clothes are definitely such a major part of our lives, whether your trying to fit into a pigeon hole or group, orv whether your trying to stand out, be seen to be different.
Or in some cases just wantiong to blend into the background, where you can stay unseen, hidden in full view.
As I say wearing what you feel good in, what you love, whether it is a 10 year old thread bare t-shirt or a brand new $1000 jaxcket/dress.
You should never be dressing for others.
This is your life, as Brian said, we aren’t here forever, so dress as you desire as you love.
Dressing as you, can help make you, be all you want, give you a freedom, a confidence, that not many other parts of your daily life can.
Craig ramble over (no idea if that made sense or tied to original post ha ha, but then I don’t usually)
Thanks Brian
<3
GREAT comments, brother!!