It seems that so often we come up with a brilliant idea, but who's idea is it really? We have sparks of genius, moments of service, and find ourselves party to groups of great power. Is that all we have to offer as individuals? Can we not do more? can we not say more?
Be a voice.
I wander what the world would be like if each person came up with one idea to make the world better and shared it. How different would our lives be? Would it be that we would no longer thrive in the shadows living and working other people's ideas, other people's dreams? Day after day the majority of us don't speak up. Not really speaking up. Some of us don't even stand for anything to speak about. That is what must change first in order to become a voice rather than an echo.
In the Marvel Avengers movie, one of the agents, lying on his back dying, calls out the villain, Loki. He tells Loki that he is destined to lose. Loki proceeds to inform this agent on the countless advantages he has over the group of supers. The agent looks him in the eye and replies, "you lack conviction." Those three words can shatter an ego. It may seem to you that your life is wonderful; big house, prosperous job, wonderful spouse, beautiful children, and a dog who loves you. That's all fine and dandy unless "you lack conviction." Whatever it may be, I know for me my conviction lies in my faith. I know that it isn't the same for everyone, but I'll end this point by saying, if you stand for nothing you'll fall for anything.
Don't be an echo.
This particular half of the quote has a lot of depth. An echo is deceiving. It sounds incredibly similar to the authentic voice when it is in fact a copy of some sort. It lacks originality. I think that is what the speaker of this quote is trying to get at here. Don't be a copy of someone, but instead be you. I think I may have used this quote before, but it seems so relevant here. Dr. Seuss said, "Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You."
