Be The Little Drummer Boy

Like happiness, we are entirely responsible for our own paths in life. There is no hidden track, no pre-written destiny—each of our journeys is defined by the choices we make. As we entertain those inevitable crossroads and forks in the road, the loudest noise often comes from the expectations of the world around us. But to find the effortless present, you have to tune out the noise, look deep inside your heart, and do exactly what it tells you.

You must be true to yourself first. Remember that, just like our happiness, we are the only ones responsible for our success, exactly as we choose to define it.

We all arrive at these crossroads from vastly different environments. We are shaped by the homes we grew up in, the schools we attended, the activities that sparked our joy, and the people we chose to spend our time with. Some of those people are mirrors, reflecting our exact norms and values back to us, while others are total opposites who challenge our understanding of the world. These unique combinations create a rhythm that belongs only to you.

When I say to look inside your heart and put your own truth first, I know the immediate reaction. Wait, wait, I hear the calls of, “That’s selfish!”

Actually, it is not. Looking inside your heart and prioritizing your truth does not preclude a life of immense value to others. For some, that inner truth leads directly to a life of selfless service and charity. For others, it means aggressively pursuing a career with the ultimate goal of becoming CEO and Chairman of the Board. Neither path is selfish if it is authentically yours. If you are true to yourself and the boardroom is your calling, think of all those you will help along the way. By leading a business into the future, you have the potential to create generational impact, providing sustainable income, employment, and security for countless families.

Why is it so important to march to your own beat? Because humanity is not a monolith. Understand that all things in life exist on a spectrum.

Consider intelligence. We can all agree that there are not only different levels of intelligence, but entirely different kinds of intelligence. The brilliant mechanic and the brilliant philosopher simply possess different gifts. Intelligence is on a spectrum.

Athletic ability operates the same way. Some people are explosive sprinters, while others are grueling endurance athletes. Some are gifted with flawless hand-eye coordination, while others possess a tactical, resilient mind that allows them to win regardless of the physical matchup. Athleticism is on a spectrum.

This truth extends to every facet of the human condition. There is a spectrum for sexuality, for masculinity, for femininity, and for emotional development. Almost everything we measure as we evaluate the attributes, skills, personalities, and motivations of the human race exists on a sliding scale.

Because we all land on different points across thousands of different spectrums, trying to march in perfect lockstep with the crowd is a recipe for a dissonant, unfulfilled life. You cannot play someone else's rhythm. You have to be the Little Drummer Boy. You have to show up exactly as you are, with the unique gifts you possess, and play your drum for yourself.

When you honor where you fall on the spectrum of life, you stop forcing yourself into boxes that were never meant to hold you. You embrace the effortless present, stepping forward with intention, taking responsibility for your own joy, and finally marching to the beat of your own drum.