Monday, November 10, 2008

Unlearning what you've learned

Why is it so hard to break out of routine? To unlearn what you've been taught? To undo what society has knowingly trained you to think? When you've been living in rules and restrictions, how do you really live when you're free? I'm always thinking how can I be different? When you're the youngest in a big family, you have all your older siblings that your parents want you to follow. My mom asked me this question a lot:

Mom: Why don't you try to be normal?
Me: What's so great about being normal? I want to be different!

I've been thinking about this for a while now. When you're given the opportunity to do what you want to do, do you continue to follow the rules because that's what you're used to doing or do you stir it up and do something different? If you do something different, how far do you push it? With anything, the higher the risk, the higher the rewards and the bigger the penalties.

Here's a few things that keeps me thinking...
  • Why are females usually the ones being rescued?
  • Why do you need to get married?
  • Is it really a big deal that the female is the "bread winner"?
  • How come SEX is such a hush subject?
  • Why would the words of celebrities have more weight than my words?
  • Think outside the bun - Taco Bell
  • Drivers Wanted - Volkswagon
Most of what I've learned to be "right" is from family, school, entertainment (tv/movies/books), etc. What I'll spend the rest of my life doing is unlearning most if it. Maybe it made sense back then but a lot of time has passed and a lot of it doesn't make sense anymore. It may also not be right for me. It's not that you decided one or the other but that you decided. If you decide to go right, I'll go left. Then we'll share our experiences!