noun
a person who takes an opposing view, especially one who rejects the majority opinion, as in economic matters.
I've mentioned a few times that I intentionally surround myself with positive and motivated people who leave me feeling recharged and enthusiastic by merely being in their presence. (I'd like to hope that our energy exchange is mutual and that I also help encourage those people in some way.)
Having just finished the audio book, "The Art of Non-Conformity," by Chris Guillebeau, I've realized that many of the people I find so inspiring, are contrarians.
I'd like to clarify what I mean by contrarian as it can have quite the opposite, negative, connotation. I'm not speaking of a contrarian as a person who will take the opposing position simply for the sake of an argument or simply to get a reaction. We all know those kinds of people and at it's core, I don't think the word contrarian is supposed to be so negative.
Rather, I'd like to think of a contrarian as one who follows their heart, and their gut, even when everyone else arounds them tells them something is foolish, wrong, or that something can't be done.
Since reading "The Art of Non-Conformity, I've been thinking about people who are living life in somewhat of an unconventional fashion; artists, musicians, writers, entrepreneurs and the otherwise self-employed. You know, the people who were probably told several times, "don't quit your day job." Well, these contrarians have managed to carve out wonderful lives for themselves without the security of having an employer. I love my job and and although my life is more conventional and traditional, I'm inspired by the "non-conformists" to pursue my burning desire - which is to write a screen play. If they can be brave enough to pursue their dreams without a safety net and when all the odds are against them, then I have no excuses. I have the pleasure of having a "day job" that I love, and a schedule that will allow me the time to write in the evenings. The only thing that has been stopping me is my own self-doubt.
Think of the contrarians in your life and embrace them. We can learn from them if we let their courage serve as inspiration.