All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual. -Albert Einstein

Human beings emulate the people around them because it makes them feel safe.

Being unusual or abnormal makes a person feel exposed and nervous.

We are all in great danger of living lives conceived by others.

between what is normal and what is possible

“Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal.” -Albert Camus

The status quo for a first-world human being is to die with most of one's gifts unwrapped.

fear is what keeps you in the herd,

In the areas of career, personal goals and lifestyle, there is precious little encouragement to follow your own values unless they happen to mirror the status quo.

Be wary of norms and their indescriminate magnetism. Be careful never to do something simply because it's normal.