One of the never ending battles of human existence is the internal conflict between pursuing personal desires and conforming to society's expectations. When individuals find a balance between pursuing personal desires and conforming to society’s expectations, then individuals are able to have the most potential for progress which leads to a more fulfilling life. Pursuing personal interests and desires can be fleeting, but also fulfilling and expressive. Conformity is non stressful, and allows one to feel part of a group, however it can cause us to lose some of our individuality. In “The Orchid Thief,” John Laroche is an excellent example of an individual who does not have a balance, and prioritizes his personal desires first. Laroche represents …show more content…
His passions, “arrived unannounced and ended explosively.” As a result of his ever-changing career and interests, he was never able to get very far in any of his pursuits. Personal desires and interests can and do change all the time. -Although his pursuits did not last very long, his personal desires made him “exceptionally passionate and driven.” People driven and determined like Laroche change the world with their ideas and creativity. It is through diversity and differences that the human race progresses the most. -Our personal desires bring us happiness to an extent, that is why we desire them. They help us express ourselves as individuals because they are a part of us. Pursuing these interests while maintaining routine in our lives can bring fulfillment. The conflict between personal desires and conformity grows more as we progress; sometimes conformity seems more appealing. Conformity is safe, non stressful, easy, and allows one to feel part of a group. However, it can also be boring and cause us to lose some of our individuality. -Conformity is going with the flow, it requires minimal effort. It is the path of least