Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Have it Your Way...

From the early explorers, through the Pilgrims and other colonial settlers, through Thomas Jefferson, and right up to Michael Jackson, we've been a country of non-conformists, free thinkers and inventors. And every step of the way, our free spirits battled the conformists who would deny progress or new ideas.

The vast majority of people in every country, whether technologically advanced or starkly primitive, are conservative. Nah, I'm not talking about religion. I'm talking about their willingness to change their ideas. Overall, humans are not comfortable with change. We're mostly a sheepish culture who fight change tooth and toenail. (The actual expression is "tooth and nail"--see origin of expression here--but I grew up on the tooth and toenail version so, of course, I'm resistant to change!)

Yet those we admire most, either from the past or the present, are the non-conformists who marched to their own drummers, refusing to fit in the little boxes assigned to them. They were the ones who had a vision and went for it.

Few of us are courageous enough to stand out there on our own, living our lives as we truly wish because we're afraid of what family, friends, or neighbors might say. Peer pressure is alive and well all around the world. The free spirit is not welcome whether in the huts in Africa or the mansions in New York.

Our neighbors could be criminals, another race or religion, on welfare, have sixteen children... but all of those things pale beside the epithet of odd or different. No one wants to be thought odd or different. And it's strange that the words odd or different cover a multitude of realities from mental illness to shyness to being gay. No specific explanation is required. It's enough to say, "Well-ll, he's a little different." Or, "Let's just say that she's kinda odd."

Rather than be thought different or odd, the average human will go out of their way to fit in with the cultural norms. If everyone else is wearing mini-skirts, well by gum, they'll wear a mini-skirt, even if it's uncomfortable, unattractive, and possibly even borders on the obscene. Long hair, short hair, beards, mustaches, chest hair or smooth, glasses or none, we desperately try to fit in.

Well. This July 4th, I'm declaring my own Independence Day. I've decided that I'm going to do things my way, whether it's writing what I want to write, wearing what I find comfortable, or living life on my own terms. Life is too short to worry about whether someone else likes the color of your shoes.

How about you? Want to celebrate your independence with me? Name one thing about yourself you would like to "have your way". I'll pick one comment at random for a free copy of Surpassing Pleasures, my new release on July 3rd.

anny

18 comments:

  1. Hmm... only one thing? ;) I do occasionally have dessert first, although hypocritically I'm still making the kids abide by the main-meal first. Perhaps they'll declare dessert-first as their independence day issue!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well, Anny...I am NOT gonna grow chest hair to remain in the norm...no sirreee! Sorry, but I will remain odd until the day I pack up my earthly baggage and catch the first freighter to the land beyond.

    ReplyDelete
  3. And as my contest entry, I want to declare my Independence by desperately trying to fit in as many cover models as I possibly can in one 24 hour period. Or not.... :P

    (This comment may be deleted if it is considered to be too outre by the list mom.)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I reckon, I'm gonna eat chocolate whenever I damn well feel like it. I'm tired of worrying about my spreading butt. Life is short and I'm going to grab pleasure...or in this case, CHOCOLATE whenever I want.

    And one more thing. I'm tired of people saying I can't have a cup of coffee in the evening if I want. Tired of being told I won't sleep. Too bad. I can stay up if I want, too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well, I pretty much do whatever the hell I like so I could do anything at any time - but you go girl - stuff 'em - be different

    ReplyDelete
  6. Well said Anny and good for you. Be true to you and who you are. Losing yourself because you try to conform is the worst sort of torture. Trust me, I know it well.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've been following this motto for a long time. I couldn't stand wearing what others wore, or how the wore it. My ex tried chaning me so I did the only right thing - I divorced him! :)
    Great post and you go for it, Anny.

    ReplyDelete
  8. See, when I was growing up, being called weird was a compliment--still is, as far as I'm concerned. I've never had much desire to fit in, buy into the latest trend, or follow the herd. I am contrary by nature.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Growing up, I was always considered odd--small, dark, ethnic, and bookish was just plain odd and I didn't fit in too well. Which is probably why I started writing my own happy endings at an early age. Works for me;-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I didn't fit in as a kid, and now it's interesting to see how many of my old classmates are 'eagerly looking forward to seeing' me again at the reunion, or emailing me privately on FaceBook, thrilled with news of my books!

    I'm resolving to enjoy myself at the reunions, and not let past hurts bother me. I'm also declaring a 'no negativity' day for the husband and daughter! Only GOOD, POSITIVE things will be said around here.

    WV is 'phypollu'. Any thoughts? I'm blank.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I LIKE odd people. Normal is boring and often annoying. Vive la difference!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Enjoyed reading the comments. I am independent and usually do what I like but for once, I would like to be recognized as knowing where I am going and how to get there. I want my husband to admit that I know my directions.
    JOYE
    JWIsleyATaol.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hey Anny
    I think when I was younger I preferred to fit in. Then something crazy happened....I had kids. Who has time to worry about clothes or what other people think. Hell, when you've got three kids either screaming or having grocery cart chariot races in the store, they all think you're nuts anyway. And I have always refused to wear make-up. I think women should love themselves without spending an hour trying to "get ready". Wash and wear, ladies....

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm going to wear a skirt even though I haven't had enough time to shave my legs. And not bother to remove the cat hair from my clothes either.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Loved the blog and the comments. We writers are on a little different wave-length, I think. I used to try like crazy and be a good corporate wife...now that's a while ago and unimportant and I'm just me. Works better for everybody. Jean

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am a nurturer at heart and definitely a "go with the flow" girl. But I think it's time to mix things up a bit with the men in my life and put me first now and again. I'm not talking a personality change, just an occassional moment here and there when I get to be spoiled a wee bit, and get some nurturing of my own.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What wonderful comments! I'm glad that I'm not the only one ready to declare a little bit of independence! Keep 'em coming...

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anny great idea. I can't comment on doing what I want, because what I want is my own time and I can't have it. My mother's health and now her life depend on my presence with her. So I'll keep going as I am. Doing what I have to do.

    Congratulations on Surpassing Pleasures coming on July 3rd, same day as my Babies in the Bargain.

    ReplyDelete