Doing It Our Way Should Never Be An Excuse

I did it my way… here are the consequences.

Photo by Alex Wigan

For some of us there is an allure about ‘doing it our way’. I think part of the attraction originates in that feeling of being capable of it all, of not needing anybody else. It is the affirmation of our personality, an assertion of who we are, the belief that who we are is viable in the wild, wild world out there.

This is all very well, except that the decision to do it our way sometimes impacts on others regardless of their choice. It is important to realise that choosing our path cannot happen in isolation, that our path can only exist among other paths, paths that may run in parallel or intersect with our own from time to time.

All too often, those who claim to be lone wolfs forget that small piece of truth that our actions have consequences. Being individualistic doesn’t make you invisible. Others may have something to say about your life choices if they have a direct impact on theirs.

There is a difference between selfish individualism and selfless individualism. I can decide doing things my way and not care what anybody else thinks — there is even a certain virtue in it — but my individualism ends where that of others begins. Indeed, sometimes our individual actions have a positive impact on the world. Our selfless…