Saturday, April 18, 2015

Without justification

"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.

9 comments:

  1. Well said, YAAAAH !! If they like it, fine if not... tough cookie !!

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  2. You know, we all feel that way, all of us except the true rebels...and of course, Chet.

    That 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.

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    Replies
    1. Chet makes no excuses, no apologies. In the pure Buddhist manner, Chet just is.

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  3. Al, like you I am always asked to defend my lifestyle choices, even if it is not in a direct question.
    I 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

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  4. 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?

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    Replies
    1. Too often "I do whatever I want" is seen as threatening to the social order.

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  5. We 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.

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  6. Thumbs up the last paragraph!!! And several of the comments too.
    I 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.

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  7. Not everyone has a negative comment though. Some people say they think living in a van full time is the coolest thing ever!

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