If you don't like the rules, then why are you following them?

in #introduceyourself8 years ago

Hey Steemit! I am a total newb to crypto currencies, anarchism, and blogging but I am jumping in head first! A year ago I couldn't imagine quitting my 9-5 and not looking back, but a lot can change in a year.

Raised in the church, I was taught to obey my parents, obey the church and obey the law. Not only was I expected to live this way, but I was also taught to believe that people who didn't were not only wrong, but they were bad. I couldn't have been happier to comply. I had a set of rules that were easy to follow. They made me feel confident, they made my parents proud, and they gave me the ease of not having to figure any of it out for myself. I mean there was a book with all the answers there for me! Game plan: go to school, get a job, pay your taxes, get married, have kids, contribute to your church, don't get into trouble. It was simple. I would not trade my childhood for the world. I had a happy loving family, and it was an incredible upbringing that lead me here. But I am also thankful for the 'mistakes' I made that helped me find a much greater truth.

A few years and many sins later, I met Matt. He was shy, and busy, but he made a point of getting my attention which I liked. There was so much about him that was 'bad'. He didn't follow the rules, he was not politically correct, and he did not care what anyone thought about him. These things would have turned me off in the past, but there was something about him that I craved. In spite of his 'rough around the edges' qualities, he was confident. He wasn't bound by guilt, or rules, or people... things that I thought we all had to live under. The more time I spent with him, the more I wanted what he had. Freedom (As much as he could afford anyways). I had no idea that it was missing from my life, until I saw it.

You may hate the term slave. Maybe it is not politically correct, but I am getting accustom to these politically incorrect expressions, so I am sure it is rubbing off on me. I am a slave by choice. A slave to my bank, a slave to my boss, a slave to my phone company, a slave to my government, and a slave to my own guilt. I choose to abide by their rules because I was taught that it was right and I never thought to question it. When you do finally start to question, you wonder how you neglected such important inquiries for so long. Who are these rule makers? Why am I letting them decide what I can and cannot do? Do I agree with the rules they have forced onto my life? Do I even believe in rules?

I am just at the beginning of answering these questions. For the first time in my life I am questioning who dictates my life, and taking steps in making that person me. It is not always easy, it is the opposite of what I have been trained for my whole life, but it is more than worth it. Life is too short to not do something incredible with it. If you like my post, and would like to hear more or share with me please follow, upvote and comment.

<3 Shauna

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The gem cannot be polished without friction nor man without trials.

Why wouldn't the shrimp share his treasure? -Because he was a little shellfish.

Good on you for making empowered decisions!