I think it is good to have heroes and people you look up to. However ultimately– shouldn’t we strive to become MORE like ourselves…instead of becoming more like others?

Why are you so afraid to be yourself?

This is the strange thing I notice about modern society:

[American] society tells you to be an individual, stand apart, and ‘think for yourself’. But ultimately, if you actually do act differently, think for yourself, and follow yourself (instead of being ‘politically/socially correct’)– you will be punished.

Thus what is the ‘safe’ thing to do? Engage in the same boring discussions on sports, politics, Netflix series, movies, tv shows, etc– instead of talking about yourself, talking about your own opinions, and not having the courage to say what WE believe in (we must always quote others– or more ‘wise’ ancient people from the past).

I also notice this with consumerism. We are trying to buy a certain ‘look’ and ‘lifestyle’ and the essence of a certain someone — instead of trying to be ourselves. It seems that we are bored of ourselves and our own skin… and thus we put on the skin of others (fashion/design/clothing as an external, re-newable skin).

Who do you want to become?

“I wanna be like Mike!”

Advertisement for Nike // Air Jodan sneakers (reference to michael jordan)

Jordan sneakers, Yeezy sneakers, Kobe shoes, Lebron James shoes, and the clothing-item-accesories of the rich, famous, strong, and successful. We are trying to become like them by purchasing their goods. The same goes with buying fancy and fast sports cars (James Bond, rappers, billionaires, etc), as well as buying certain cameras like Henri Cartier-Bresson and Leica, and so-forth.

Now I don’t necessarily think this is a ‘bad’ thing. But I think we are so inundated with extreme advertising that we don’t have the empty space, or the time/opportunity to think:

How can I become more myself, instead of becoming more like others?

I ultimately channel all of my personal heroes in a positive and motivational way. But even myself– I must steer clear and ultimately decide for myself:

Don’t think about what Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, or what Kanye West might do– think about what I, ERIC KIM, desire to do.

And perhaps this is one of the most difficult and brave things you can do in modern life– have the courage to BE YOU! To not compromise yourself. To listen to your own inner-voice, despite what everyone else tells you (especially what your loved ones tell you). To have the courage to risk, innovate, and entrepreneur in new fields. To mix-up, remix, and ‘cross-pollinate‘ unrelated fields.

Conclusion: Never stop becoming (more of) you.

I don’t think the final destination of life is to become someone else. The final destination is for you to become a fully-realized you. You that isn’t watered down, or diluted with anything or anyone else.

For you to be unabashedly you. To not see any of your ‘vices’ as vices– but as virtues. To not see any of your ‘bad characteristics’ as bad– but perhaps your BEST characteristics.

Your ideal self as a 110% version of you– that is constantly evolving, growing stronger, wiser, simpler, more concentrated, and more dense.

Never stop becoming more epic!

ERIC