The concept of balance is universally acknowledged as a healthy one, applying to every aspect of life, including relationships, ambitions and personality. “Find a happy medium,” a suitable answer for most serious questions, is thrown out by politicians and parents alike.

However, this principle is a tricky one: balance is elusive, and most humans spend copious amounts of time vacillating between talking too much and too little, acting too aggressive and too passive, and self-abasement and arrogance.

Sometimes it is best to abandon a search for balance altogether. Although required in many obvious circumstances, our obsession with middle ground can condemn us to mediocrity.

Tepidness has been no help to pop sensation Lady Gaga, who is famous for her fashions – including a dress with red lace completely covering her face – and music videos, often eight minutes long and with a double-digit outfit count. These eccentricities have made her one of the most talked-about celebrities of the year.

While we need not take Lady Gaga’s morality as an example, her refusal to conform is admirable: she has carved out a niche for herself not out of natural beauty or even talent, but simple extremity. In our own, less rhine-stoned way, we can follow this lead to make our own niche.

However, conformity is not the true issue. Even if one is pursuing the same avenue as many others, stepping beyond the realm of normal is sometimes required for success.

Without the world’s extremists, from activists to geniuses, we would perhaps live a much more mundane existence, which can be as detrimental to quality of life as anything else.

Common sense leads us to apply to local colleges and ones who give scholarships. However, if high school seniors never consider Harvard or Columbia, they may miss a marvelous opportunity – either actually attending, or simply having the moxy to send in an application. It is these small steps that show our determination to live colorfully.

The fact remains that balance is a very necessary element to a healthy life. However, a love for the tremendous, sought in everything from natural talent to taste in fashion, can save us from wasting the copious opportunities we are given.

For more opinions from The Feather staff, read the Feb. 12 editorial, Life through a tinted lens.