Hip to Be Square

I was recently a programming chair for a conference themed "Dare to Be You."  Initially, I was blindly inspired by that phrase without thinking about how it applied to me.  When I did, however, I was confused.  As a kid I always followed rules, studied, and listened to my parents; as an adult, I've always worked in corporate America with a 401(k) and don't date wild and crazy people.  Am I someone who hasn't Dared to be Me since I've followed the beaten path?  The answer is no.  With all the changes in industry and society nowadays, it's easy to be convinced that being "real" means doing something outside of the norm.  For some of us, however, our passions and preferences just happen to be things that are sometimes unfairly judged as commonplace.

When I say I'm a chemical engineer, the response is often "Yawn.  You're Indian, therefore your parents forced you to be either an engineer or a doctor.  Way to break the mold."  They couldn't be more wrong.  I like science and math.  I like the industry in which I work.  If that's what I'm pursuing, isn't that similar to an artist practicing his/her craft?  I really admire my peers who have dropped everything to start non-profits that change the world.  I would gladly volunteer with them and support them.  However, it's not what I want for my career.

On to social situations.  As we get older, I more frequently hear "I'm tired of weddings and all the hype.  They're such a waste, what's the point, etc., etc.  I don't get why people have them."  I completely respect the fact that not everyone wants that; it's a very personal preference.  However, is it fair to judge those who do?  If I were to get married, I'd want a diamond and bachelorette party and a traditional ceremony with all my family/friends.  I would hate for some of them to sit there thinking about how stupid it is.

Back to my initial point.   I think that Daring to be Me means that I should embrace the fact that I want what I want for my life, regardless of how ordinary it may sound to others.  And I should embrace the fact that my short, klutzy, sassy, practical, food-loving, nail polish-obsessed self will pursue it.