Be Extraordinary
同志社女子高等学校

１年

金谷彩

希

“Rather than being in a crowd without a reason, become isolated with areason.” “Rather than to say what’s right but to do what’s right.” “Ratherthan be ordinary, be extraordinary.” These lines, which I heard in a televisioncommercial, moved me deeply. As I considered these lines, I began to wonder,“Why are people afraid of stepping outside of normalcy?” Perhaps it isbecause being seen as a “normal” person by conforming to those around themmakes people feel secure that they are free from attack. Actually, I too am thekind of person that feels a sense of security in being the same as others. For

when to start wearing a coat. And ultimately, I only start wearing a coat after
I see others start wearing one. I get the feeling that many others are like me
as well. People like us feel a sense of security in being normal, and I realizedthat it requires courage for us to even be ourselves.
I do not feel that it is easy to convey one’s opinions to others in society
today. A major topic of discussion in Japan this year was a series ofcelebrities who committed suicide over being slandered. But this is not only
an issue for celebrities. Even normal people like us, when our opinions differ
from those around us, often either conform to the majority or think deeply
about how to convey our opinions. Now, social media is becoming the centerof society, and we live in an age in which we are monitored by the masses
and showered in opinions. So, for us living in an age like this, it is necessary
to have courage even to just be ourselves as we live. Right now, we need the“courage to be ourselves,” but what specifically does this mean? It means not
erasing our opinions and instead holding onto and conveying them to others.
It also means actually taking action. However, as we are now, conforming tothose around us and being seen as a “normal person” provides us with asense of security, so it is difficult for us to convey our thoughts andintentions and to actually take action. We need to change this. What is gained55

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example, when the season changes and it starts to look chilly, I worry about

by conforming to the opinions of others? Does it help us progress? Progress isattained

throughthe“couragetobeourselves.”

Forexample,throughdiscussions, we are able to share and consider numerous opinions, which leads
to the best results. In this way, the “courage to be ourselves” enables us to
finally start making gradual changes. Courage is contagious. In modernsociety, some people criticize those whose opinions are in the minority, so it isscary to hold tightly to one’s ideas and take action. However, doing so will
also undoubtedly provide others with courage. As an example, Indian people
were in a situation like this a long time ago. In protest against British rule,Gandhi launched a movement of non-violence and non-cooperation. This gavecourage to numerous Indian people, who then also joined the movement.
Gandhi infected the people of India with the “courage to be themselves.” Right
now, it is difficult for us to hold onto our ideas and take action. However, I
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feel that we should first change ourselves under the belief that being
personally courageous will provide others with courage. Because doing so isthe first step toward creating a society in which we can freely express ourideas and have discussions.
It is now clear that we need courage to be ourselves. As such, shouldn’t
we proactively express our ideas and take action? By taking action, we will be
providing others with courage. And some of those who receive courage fromus will in turn take action. This courage will infect countless others, and theworld will continue to progress. Through our courage and our actions, let us
give strength to children whose future options would otherwise be limited. Let
us give strength to those who suffer for being different than others. And let
us give everyone in the world the “courage to be themselves.” “Rather thanbeing in a crowd without a reason, become isolated with a reason.” “Ratherthan to say what’s right but to do what’s right.” “Rather than be ordinary, beextraordinary.”56