The dictionary describes cross grained as having a tenacious unwillingness to yield. There is a strong tendency these days to “Go with the flow”… “don’t rock the boat” or “keep your opinion to yourself” People really struggle to understand why one individual would hold stubbornly to certain standards while everyone else simply plays along. It is further distressing to them that someone would choose to sacrifice luxuries or even some certainties, to maintain what is considered by many to be no longer valuable or worth pursuing or maintaining. Many of the great people in history chose to live their lives against the grain and were simply capable of surviving the constant assault on their ideals long enough to change the way people thought. They were not out to make history, they simply chose to exist on their own terms instead of accepting what was handed to them as the “only options available”.
Sometimes you have to break out of the “habits” you accept as normal to see the additional options available. Sure theres a chance that you may fail or look silly or stupid to others… but being cross grained is not for the faint of heart… because what you believe must be stronger that any opposition you face… Thats not to say you won’t get cut down… cause you will… sometimes you don’t even really survive the pressure. It is likely that you will join the loners, outcasts, misfits, that are always misunderstood. Over time its harder to make a statement, when so many choose to ignore anything but the norm…so you find a safe place and wait for someone that seeks you out… hungry for something different. Sages… Philosophers…Inventors… Entrepreneurs… none of these would exist… if they were not Cross Grained.
