When the Yidden sinned in the Chet HaEigel, Hashem told Moshe that He’ll destroy Klal Yisroel, and instead start a new nation from Moshe alone. Moshe replied that if a chair of 3 legs (i.e., the 3 Avos) cannot stand, surely it cannot stand on one leg alone (i.e., Moshe). (Gemara). We can suggest that having “one leg” would mean that everybody has to try to emulate one Derech.
By our holy Avos, each one had his own unique Derech. We have Yitzchok who was involved mainly in Tefila, and very different than Avraham who had a house full of Chesed. Of course, this is not a Chisaron in Kibud Av, since every person has to be himself, and not try to copy all those successful people. And Yaakov was involved in learning Torah.
We are all standing on 3 “legs”, i.e., we learn from the 3 Avos that each person has to be himself. And it’s not easy, when your head is circulating all day with Redifas HaKavod, and: מַה י ֹּאמְרוּ הַבְר יות What will people say?? Unfortunately, all you care about is what “sells”, and what type of Avoda gives you the most appreciation from people.
Adam HaRishon was a Tzelem Elokim, and Chazal say: כ ל אֶח ד וְאֶח ד חַי ב לומַר ב שְב יל י נ בְר א ה עול ם סנהדרין לז א Each person is obligated to say: “The entire universe was created just for me”. Each person should feel like he is Adam HaRishon, and the entire world was created just for him. Then you REALLY Shteig! You aren’t constantly being distracted. In Novardok, it was important not to Chap Hispa'alus from others.
R' Gershon Liebman Zatzal was once very impressed by a certain group in prewar Poland who davened with tremendous fire. His Rebbe, R' Nissan Zatzal yelled at him: “Yeke Bembe!” (meaning Hispa'alus Chapper!) Perhaps this is why R' Gershon became so great. He was truly himself!
