Trendsetting

 

Assalamoalaikum readers!

Apologies for the unintended and uninformed delays in the posting!

…………….

Ever reflected on the life that we spend, I mean why do we eat what we eat and why do we say what we say. How do we think and what shapes our thoughts? What affects our decision-making?

I have been reflecting on these questions lately, and I have come across two processes that we all undergo; Trend-following and trend-setting.

Now in this blog, I am not particularly referring to the clothing trends or the common bandwagons everybody jumps on, but rather, the little things we choose to do and the ones that we don’t deem worth the energy.

The decisions we take, the words we pick on to express ourselves and the way we carry the baggage of past, none of it is other than a trend that has been set by some person at one point in life. You will never be able to say that the path I have chosen is unique, you can, perhaps admit that is less-chose route.

The fact that we do what, atleast, at one point has been somebody else’s choice, suggests that we tend to follow the actions and decisions being taken around us. We read the narratives of others and fit them, into those of our own. In simple terms; we are inspired by everyone around us. Sometimes partially. Other times, completely,

The point of all this discussion is that trend-following is a process that we undergo unintentionally, without keeping any track of it. Like-wise is trend-setting.

Fortunately enough, trend-following is a topic avidly discussed but trend setting isn’t often afforded the limelight. We live without admitting that our lives are being followed, and taken notice of. Somebody somewhere is observing our reaction to a mistake, our decision in times of difficulty and our choice of words when dealing with a person we don’t like. Scarily enough, somebody somewhere is willing to imitate. As opposed to the popular opinion, it may not be necessary that only famous people are looked up to, they do have greater probability although, nevertheless it doesn’t plummet the importance of the lives of our family, friends and acquaintances.

Just to make it clear, the intention here is not to encourage anyone to become people conscious, which may be an unjust inference from this blog. The point is to highlight that our choices are not limited to ourselves. They extend their consequences and positive effects to people around us. Especially those who look up to us.

Succinctly, as much as we are responsible for the decisions we make, we are also burdened with the ones that are being taken. That increases the responsibility of being mindful.

After being hit by this realization, It is unnegotiable that the way we carry ourselves should be extraordinarily responsible and carefully presented.

What we share about ourselves and what is seen, both are noticed and taken inspiration from. This also suggests the wisdom behind the idea that one should not reveal his sins. Because somebody might want to watch the movie that you did, or take pride in wearing the most expensive brand. Like you did.

Especially in today’s technological world, where seldom a place is unmonitored. Everything that we do, say, watch, or post is captured. Your status, your display picture, your instagram and facebook feeds, and at large, bits and pieces of your entire personality are in front of the world, open and rampant, available to all eyes.

Know that, somewhere someone wants to dress like you, study like you, learn like you, write like, look like you, act like you, react like you, and even, be like you.

Somewhere you are setting a trend. Somewhere someone is following it.

Be responsible!