Ever since we were little, we always had role models. In the beginning, by default, sons have their fathers while daughters have their mothers. At a very early age, it is very important to have someone to base one's actions on. From then on, we accumulate different personas by emulating our idols on certain levels. Be it a fictional character, a real person, an image that a celebrity projects, or even concepts. They can be from the past or living in the future. They are mostly who we aspire to be.
There is no blueprint to living. There is no exact pattern that anyone can follow. Because of this, we look up to other people who have started ahead of us.
And same as life, it has its stages. As we grow from one phase to another, we lose our fondness to many things and swap it for a new set, retaining only a few from the old. Like trees that let go of its leaves during the cold and start to grow new ones.
One clear example is when we reach adolescence, we suddenly hate our parents and we want to become the total opposite of them. (Although later in life, we renew our love for them and it grows even bigger than before.)
Influence is arguably a huge factor in the world we live in. In whatever field, there are always a few people who are considered the preceding standards in that area. Any idol of yours also had idols that he wanted to follow the steps of. Processes evolve, yes, but the idea of imitation has always been around since intelligent life sprouted. (It must have been very difficult for Eve and Adam!)
Let's look at our adult lives now and think really hard about the influences that shaped us to who we are today. Many or almost all of our characteristics are copies of what we thought were good examples of how to act, what to believe and which decisions to take. We apparently become the sum of our influences. Our works comprise of parts derived (intended and/or by subconscious) from our chosen masters. Sometimes even, from only one.
Is this saying that we are not and will never be original? Yes and no.
Everything has been done before. Nothing is original. You are not you. You are a result of who your ancestors were & what you have seen and experienced. We are all clones. But as soon as we pass and our time is done, we become the source. We become the original; and our fruits turn into us.
However, while we are around, it is significantly more fulfilling to strive to be original despite how much we are a product of our influences. No matter how hard it may be to unlearn what already is wired within us, we must try to think for ourselves. Because we easily forget these things:
1. That fictional characters are unreal and nothing more but imagination.
2. That the image shown by celebrities are only masks they put on.
3. That we tend to automatically become fans of an artist as a whole once we like their works - instead of separating their art and talent from their actual personalities.
4. That we will never entirely know what another person goes through and no two lives are exactly alike.
5. That leaders who use their charisma to gain followers often do it for power and ulterior motives.
6. That concepts set by organizations, minorities, culture & society are mere attempts to categorize individuals.
At the end of the day, there is no one we can rely on more than ourselves.
So by all means, admire other people's traits and works. But always... always think for yourself.
