What Does ‘You Do You’ Mean?

Have you heard the statement, “You do you”?

I have, and at first I thought, “Yes!” It seemed a good declaration.

It seemed to give permission and encouragement to be myself.

And yet, the more I hear it, the more I wonder if it has hidden implications.

I wonder if it’s used in a context that allows people to do whatever they want, whenever, without concern for consequence or effect on other people.

When used with the understanding that each of us can benefit mankind with our unique gifts and abilities, it can be a helpful reminder.

But when used to justify narrow, self-focused living, it can be damaging.

It reminds me of what James E. Faust said regarding choices.

“Private choices are not private; they all have public consequences…Our society is the sum total of what millions of individuals do in their private lives. That sum total of private behavior has worldwide public consequences of enormous magnitude. There are no completely private choices.”

I had to re-read his words a few times and consider how my private choices could possibly affect society as a whole.

Do my quiet thoughts and private actions really affect others?

On a recent trip I stopped at a gas station that was a busy stop for motorists. The store was filled with snacks, toys, souvenirs and people.

I noticed a mother in the restroom with her young daughter, and I commented on the adorable, stuffed puppy the child was holding.

A few minutes later when out in the store, I happened to observe the mother hand her tiny daughter a stuffed animal from the rack and say how cute that one was.

They must have been regulars there because as they walked out, the cashier greeted them and asked if the child had brought two puppies in with her today. The mother said, yes and left the building.

The exchange caught me so off guard that I couldn’t believe what I had seen!

I thought of the effect that action would have not only on that business establishment but more on the child.

I’ve since wondered at the private decisions that mother had made to be able to walk out of the store so easily with something not paid for.

It caused me to ponder how my own private decisions affect others for good or ill.

Just as immoral thoughts precede immoral actions, so do positive, uplifting thoughts precede honest, and responsible, behavior.

Never discount your ability to be an influence for good.

Your many repeated, positive, private decisions, though quiet and simple, are adding up to good, virtuous, honest influence in the public realm.

Never discount the good of ‘you being you’ in a positive, upstanding, honorable way.

With love,