When I hit 16, I got a scooter to ride to school. It was bright

"When I hit 16, I got a scooter to ride to school. It was bright pink, and I saw on the ownership papers that Jonathan Ross once owned it. My friends slated me for it because of the colour, but it was cool. My father used to ride, and my mother's boyfriend has a bike, so we're a bit of a biker family." – Thomas Brodie-Sangster.

In these words, Thomas Brodie-Sangster speaks not only of a scooter, but of the power of individuality and the courage to embrace what makes us different, even when faced with the judgment of others. At sixteen, when the weight of peer pressure bears heavily on the heart, Brodie-Sangster chose to embrace something that was uniquely his—a bright pink scooter. Though the color made him an easy target for mockery, he understood the deeper truth that the value of an object, or of any choice we make, lies not in how others see it, but in how it resonates with our own sense of self.

In the ancient wisdom of the Greeks, there was a principle that guided the virtuous path—authenticity. Socrates often spoke of the importance of being true to one's own nature, to live not according to the expectations of others, but according to the truth of one's own soul. Brodie-Sangster’s scooter, while an outward symbol of individuality, is also an inward choice to stand firm in one’s own identity. It was a bright pink beacon, a symbol of who he was, unashamed and bold, even in the face of the mockery of his peers. Just as Socrates stood by his beliefs, regardless of the cost, Brodie-Sangster embraced his choice, knowing that it mattered not what others thought, but how he felt.

History is filled with great figures who made bold choices against the tides of public opinion. Leonardo da Vinci, a genius of the Renaissance, was often ridiculed for his unconventional ideas and methods, but he did not bend to the will of others. He forged ahead, knowing that true innovation and creativity are often born from standing apart. In the same way, Brodie-Sangster’s scooter—bright, bold, and undeniably his—was an expression of his individuality, a small rebellion against conformity. True greatness, whether in art, thought, or action, often lies not in following the crowd but in celebrating one’s uniqueness, no matter how unconventional it may seem to others.

Brodie-Sangster’s reference to his family’s love of bikes adds another layer to his story. He speaks of his father’s ride and his mother’s boyfriend’s bike, emphasizing a lineage—a tradition, perhaps—of embracing a certain freedom and rebellious spirit. The scooter, in this light, is not just a mode of transport, but a symbol of belonging to something greater, a legacy of being part of a community that values self-expression and independence. It is as if Brodie-Sangster, through the act of choosing that scooter, is also honoring his family’s values of individualism and courage. In choosing the bright pink scooter, he not only declares his personal style but also aligns himself with the spirit of his family’s heritage—one that embraces boldness and defies societal norms.

The act of standing out is often fraught with difficulty. In the society of ancient Rome, to defy the norms was to risk scorn and derision. Yet, the great Cicero knew that true honor came not from conformity, but from standing by one’s convictions. He wrote of the need to embrace one's distinctiveness, to not be afraid to dare to be different, for this is where true virtue lies. Brodie-Sangster’s scooter, in its unconventionality, represents this very principle. It was a courageous act, small yet significant, that reminded him—and reminds us—that we must find the courage to embrace our individuality, no matter the pressure to blend in.

So, what lesson can we draw from this small, bright pink scooter? It is a lesson about courage, about the willingness to embrace what makes us different and to stand firm in the face of judgment. The color of the scooter—often a source of mockery—is a metaphor for the things in our lives that others may not understand or appreciate. But true strength comes when we choose to own these things, to wear them proudly as badges of our unique journeys. We should remember that the essence of our being is not shaped by the opinions of others, but by the choices we make and the courage with which we stand by them.

Let us, then, take inspiration from Thomas Brodie-Sangster’s scooter. Let us celebrate our uniqueness, whether it be in the way we dress, the choices we make, or the paths we choose to walk. Authenticity is a treasure, one that we should cherish and protect. The true measure of our worth lies not in fitting in, but in having the courage to stand out and to live fully as who we are. When we embrace our individuality, we embrace our true power, just as Brodie-Sangster did with his bold choice of a bright pink scooter.