The phrase “going with the flow” has become extremely common and even overused in our society today. The pop culture of America and the world is the main reason why everyone wants to look, act and be the same. Celebrities and other popular people are at the top of the totem pole; they establish the ways for all those under them. If you don't follow a certain trend or don't behave in a certain way, many times you are treated differently, even rudely. Outcasts, rebels, and anyone unique are the people who don't "go with the flow" and are many times ridiculed for their actions. Even though many of these groups are chastised for going against the mainstream, they are the ones who are true to themselves and are able to live more peaceful lives. This is the case of Saint Francis of Assisi. His decision to follow Christ and live in poverty led him to become an outcast in society, but thanks to this he came closer to God. Through Saint Francis we can learn to draw closer to Christ. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Francis was born in Assisi, Umbria, in 1181. Originally named Giovanni in honor of St. John the Baptist, Francis' name was changed by his father, Pietro Bernardone, to Francesco because Pietro wanted a son who was a man of 'business, not a man of God (Blog). This quickly shows that Francis would grow up in a dysfunctional family where his father was responsible for everything. Regardless of this negative, Francis grew up comfortably with access to money, nice clothes, and lots of parties. Parties lead him to get involved with the wrong crowds which influence his actions; Francis later in his life stated that he was "living in sin" during this period of his life (Blog). Between all his partying, Francis became a successful businessman just as his father had hoped. But there was one wish Francis had that only he could fulfill: to become a knight. This desire would have given him “the glory and prestige he aspired to” (Blog). Francis' second chance to receive glory was what led him to change the course of his life. On the way to the war, Francis had a vision of God in a dream: “God told him that he had done everything wrong and to go home” (Blog). Upon returning home, Francis began searching for conversations. He found the answer in the small dilapidated church of San Damiano. While he was praying at the foot of the cross he heard Jesus tell him: “Francis, repair my church” (Blog). After this message, Francis renounced his father and all his worldly possessions, dressed in rags, conversed with lepers, prayed to survive, and, most importantly, preached about “returning to God and obedience to the Church” (Blog ). As preaching became more popular, he began to gain followers who wanted to purify their spirits from the material world. A young girl fell in love with the thought of this simple life of the Order of Friars Minor. He ran away from home and renounced his family and money, just like Francis (Chiara 1, 69). This courageous girl was Saint Clare and she became the first female follower of Francis and the creator of the Order of Poor Ladies. When Chiara decided to join the order, she had to take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. During the ceremony Clare had her lush hair cut, her satin dress ripped from her body and her expensive shoes taken off her feet. Through this process Chiara “became like [Francis]. In a rite that mirrored the undressing of Francis before the Bishop of Assisi, Chiara placed her satin robe in the hands of the friars and put on a dress of raw wool" (Chiara1, 70). poverty, humility and.?”