"I want to do it because I want to do it." —Amelia Earhart
When we live normal lives in normal society we often need to supply reasons for the things we do. Good reasons. Rational reasons. Society-approved reasons.
"Why on earth do you want to sell your house and live in a van?"
That was one of the big ones.
Having made that leap from anchored normalcy to a mobile life on the fringes, I still occasionally catch myself feeling like I need to supply sober sounding reasons for the things I do. Big things, small things, inconsequential things. The justification reflex is deeply ingrained.
Because I want to can sound childish, but I figure I spent over sixty years paying my dues, worrying about what others would think, trying to appear responsible and sane. Well, to hell with that. I’m in a position where I only need to answer to myself.
It’s a tough habit to break. Claiming I earned the right to not provide justification is yet another offering of justification. Ergh.
Well said, YAAAAH !! If they like it, fine if not... tough cookie !!
ReplyDeleteYou know, we all feel that way, all of us except the true rebels...and of course, Chet.
ReplyDeleteThat Chet. I bet you never heard him have to try and justify anything he did. Am I right? Of course I'm right.
That we could all be like Chet.
Chet makes no excuses, no apologies. In the pure Buddhist manner, Chet just is.
DeleteAl, like you I am always asked to defend my lifestyle choices, even if it is not in a direct question.
ReplyDeleteI try to somewhat enlighten them in a gentle way, (if I feel they are worth the effort)
Otherwise, I try to come up with creative ways to make them see the box they are in ... and have never given it any thought.
Most of the time it is a futile excersize
You reminded me of the time a cousin I had not seen in years asked me what I do. I replied, "Whatever I want." She loved that answer. It would be nice if more people had that reaction, wouldn't it?
ReplyDeleteToo often "I do whatever I want" is seen as threatening to the social order.
DeleteWe also get that same questions of why living in a 26 ft. travel trailer instead of a house. My husband always asks them what they have that he doesn't and that keeps some people busy for awhile. I on the other hand just reply, because we can.
ReplyDeleteThumbs up the last paragraph!!! And several of the comments too.
ReplyDeleteI got caught in the dichotomy and idiocy of justifying myself to a cough-cough "well adjusted" person just 2 days ago. The stupidity of dropping down to their narrative is truly a personal insult. But they never see it as that. It makes me embarrassed on their behalf. Not a laughing matter in my book. Better to steer clear, or steer them towards Eastern Philosophy.
Not everyone has a negative comment though. Some people say they think living in a van full time is the coolest thing ever!
ReplyDelete