A word that means more than anything in this world is Independence. The importance of independence is extraordinarily significant. If someone can't be their own person and stand for who they are and what they believe in, then they are truly not an individual. The opposite of being an individual, who has their own independence, is a collectivist. A huge example to show this significance is the novel "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand.
In the novel a character by the name of "Howard Roark" resembled the essence of individualism and independence. Roark believed in himself, and himself only. He didn't care what others had thought about his work, his personality, his choices, anything he decided. Almost everyone in the society around him rejected him for his work and how he was as a person, people told him that he was crazy and that he would amount to nothing because he was different. No matter what, Roark still pushed on, never giving in to society's conformation and cruelty. In the end Howard Roark was happy, he held his passion of building and designing, and he was with the love of his life.
Personally, this book spoke to me. Even though it is a little unreal at times, the message of the book screams out and hits me. I used to be a collectivist, not thinking for myself, trying to please others, being fake. Society changed me into this "fake self", because when I was myself, people didn't like me. I pretended to be someone I wasn't and lost who I was. Overtime I grew into the person I am now, the real me, an individual. Someone who thinks for themselves, prides in who they truly are, not caring what others think. I found out that this is the only way to achieve happiness and peace in oneself.
