SoapBox

    From time to time I will step up on my soapbox and speak my mind. It�s not my intention to change your mind, just my way of being part of the process to get people to think outside the box, which I call �social norms�.
     Now don�t get me wrong, I�m all for laws that keep our society in harmony. It�s all the other stuff we keep heaping on to ourselves, with little to no rhyme or reason why we do it. My mother used to say to me, �just because someone says it�s right doesn�t make it so, and just because someone decides to jump off a tall building doesn�t mean you have to follow suit�. So where am I going with all of this?
Right up here on my soapbox.

    Now I make no claims of being an intellectual giant or having a title behind my name. I just feel its time to use common sense. Seems as if it�s in short supply these days.
    My wife and I laugh when we hear someone make a statement, and when it�s challenged, the response is �because they said so".
    Who said so? I ask. Or as I frequently say�WHO SAID?
Truth is, it usually catches people off guard. They look at you with a combination of bewilderment and astonishment.
What do you mean Who Said?
How dare you challenge my beliefs!

OK. Lets look at some of these so-called social norms
    You have to eat desert after dinner?
    The man always has to pay for dinner.
    The man has to always open the door.
    The man is to be the breadwinner.
    The girl can�t ask a boy out on a date.
    Men can�t cry in public.
    Girls can�t argue and get into fights.
    Girls can�t play with trucks and boys can�t ply with dolls.
    I could go on and on, as I�m sure you can. So my question still                stands.

                       "WHO SAID"

   To me these are nothing more than opinions. Opinions of someone who for some reason got others to agree and over time people handed down these opinions, which shape the norms of society. Thus people shape their values and lives around these opinions and make judgments toward the people who do not share their same values, norms or whatever label is placed on them. WOW! Now to me that�s scary.

Why? Because history has shown us the extent that people will impose what they believe as true. Remember Hitler!
    To me it�s all about being right. Everyone wants to be right. Think about it. It�s our way of validating that we are OK. I mean how can we cope with facing the fact that our way of living or our values may be wrong. This is another one of those �who said� things. Who said that if your right the other person is wrong. Do we think we know all, see all and rule the universe? I ascribe to the logic that generally speaking there is only right in our minds. Everyone believes they are right.
    You see, what I think really makes no difference about your ideas and beliefs being right because it�s not about you. How I live my life, how I worship, what I like to eat, or how I like to dress. It�s all about me, not you. It also works the same for you. I really don�t care how you live your life. Your choices are your choices and if there right for you, that�s all that counts.
    How wonderful, we both can be right at the same time. You think we can start our own social norm. Well, not that this is a new one, but one that has taken back seat for some time. It goes like this, �Live and Let Live�
What a concept!