What is considered “conventional” may indeed be the loneliest life one can elect to lead – as the herd mentality that “binds” groups of people – in fact – keeps individuals in isolation from themselves.

When we feel at peace and one with ourselves we are able see through the illusions society would have us follow – sadly – many people are entrapped in a fear based reality that prevents them from becoming whole.

When we are at one with ourselves we are at one with all.

Following the herd an individual cannot become at one. ‘Ask’ any of the Great Individuals who have existed throughout human history. All have walked their own path, alone, toward complete unity.

-Scott

I think you hit on a very important point…the costs of being different. I agree that any path outside of the societal norms can be a bit lonely at times but I always keep in mind the best and the brightest have always gone against the grain. We can thank Galileo for defying the church and suggesting the world is not flat There are a multitude of examples of people who dare to dream and live outside the expectations of their family and society as a whole, and they end up changing the world we live in.

I think in time you will see that life gets a bit easier for you as you have an incredible ability for introspection. Most people do not sit and think about what they want, they simply follow the common path of job/career, house, kids, etc.. Since you work from a goal focused life not a life dictated by the media or marketing, you will feel more accomplished and self confident than the average person.

My suggestion for you as you travel France this month is to also travel to neighboring countries such as Belgium and Holland. I think these countries are socialist by nature but have some interesting perspectives on the world that few countries can offer. There is a sense of freedom there that is unlike the US and parts of Canada. In Holland there is only one night the stores are open late during the week and that is Thursday. The rest of the week the restaurants are not crowded as people spend time with family and friends. There is no real excess in Holland due to the tax structure so most people live in apartments and have limited material items. I can say that even with limited income the Dutch travel extensively and when I meet the average Dutch person in my field, they have seen more of the US than I have:) This worldly perspective gives way to some amazing conversations!

Cheers and enjoy your trip!

That’s the real reason you do what you do, isn’t it?

I believe people sense my enthusiasm, because instead of being considered an outsider, I’m often approached as a leader. New friends I get will ask me about nutrition or exercise or dating, and I am more happy to answer.

Yes, I too am starting to sense that my choice of friends are slimmer as I begin holding higher standards for myself. I have a hard time associating with friends who are now alcoholics, pot-heads, womanizers, drunk drivers and shoplifters. Frankly it sucks, but I believe that if I hold on to my convictions from a point or morality instead of just moral-superiority, then they will eventually follow.

I never said a vegetarian diet was ideal for everyone. Simply that, in most cases, it is a lot better than the average. But I’m really not trying to convert anyone who isn’t interested. If you want to read more, check out the China Study, otherwise be healthy and happy in your own way!

Jeffery,

I fill in details of my life into blog articles when I feel they are relevant, so that naturally omits a large chunk of my life. I’m not trying to maintain a personal blog here and I do enjoy maintaining some level of privacy.

As for my friends and girlfriends, this blog plays a minor role in my personal life. My friends know about it, and some of them read it, but I don’t let it occupy my friendships. I do have blogging friends (in person and online contacts) that allow me to share and talk about my passion more deeply.

I agree with you on the self-help wacko front. Definitely not all people interested in self-improvement are crazy (or even most). But the topic does seem to attract people with more zeal than common sense. I try to avoid these people just as much as I avoid cynics.

I have about a dozen or so friends I would call close friends and two best friends. The people I would feel comfortable sharing private details of my life.

Ben Casnocha shared a morbid analogy, “A close friend will help you move. A best friend will help you move a body.”

-Scott

Oh really? Even for people who do heavy resistance and metabolic training? And who try to get grass-fed meats? I find it hard to believe.