Breaking free from the Norm.

Well, as was posted in a different thread, there are standards for people to follow. Well, these standards are for people in the civilized world anyways, meaning Countries with Good Economies, and developed. (US Canada UK etc)

"Graduate from high school, go directly to college, upon graduation secure a high paying job, get married, purchase a home, have 2 kids, vacation at Disney World, drive a Honda, attend your sons basketball games and your daughters violin recital, vote democratic, walk the family dog, host the annual block party, attend the kids high school graduation ceremonies."
- Thanks hotwater

It may not be acurate when it gets into details, but this is pretty much it. Finish Highschool to go to College, finish College grab a good job so your kids can "have a better life". Think about it. If you are raised on these values, surely your kids will be aswell, thus this chain is never ending.

This is why I have chosen to break from the average, the mundane. I am a very booksmart kid. 3.8 - 4.0 GPA, and I get pressured like shit into going to college. Well, if hit me that I don't want to go to college, it's mainly parental pressure, and these society standards that drives 95% of kids to attend college. They say, "to get an education". Doesn't REAL education extend beyond anything school can offer us? I don't know about you but I have all the booksmarts I need.

Wisdom is waiting to be found, thrilling experiences awaiting, dsicombobulating yet interesting creations/innovations. I am not going to college. I am going to graduate Highschool, and with that degree, get the best job I can. Taco Bell or Party City is fine. From that point I am planning to save up enough money to buy a traveler's backpack, fill it with necessary things needed to sustain life, and buy a plane ticket.

To where? I'm leaning towards Portugal, Europe, or India. Either way, I'm going to walk many countries. Yes, countries. I am going to be well informed on what is edible in the wild, what isn't fill my mind with a bunch of survival tactics. I'm a good bargainer, I've always had a way with words.
If I arrive at Portugal, I'm going to walk from Portugal, to Belarus. Which is literally walking through the whole middle of Europe. If I arrive at India, I will reside at a place where they can teach me Spiritual enlightenment.

Either way, I am fully commited and have made up my mind. I DO plan to settle down afterwards. Maybe 3-4, or 5-10 years of walking? However long it may take, after I'm done, I am going to THEN live in an environment isolated from everyone else. Aside from maybe a lover, if I have one. Not a slut... there is a difference. I'm talking deeply Spiritually connected woman.
That is of no importance right now. But anywhom, Yeah settle down somewhere far where Nature is all around and blossoming more than ever. Maybe a simple job, I can get there on a car that runs on Veggie Oil.

Learn to make some clothes, and teach my kids to leave a life of peace and open-mindedness.

I forgot to mention, all along my journey I am hoping to act as though to influence other people to become peaceful. To realize that inner peace is a true Spiritual blessing.

Well, I just had to vent. It matters not if you think I'm crazy and going through a phase, or 100% believe me, voice your thoughts. I am willing to listen and reply.

Peace and Love, John.
Love is my religion.

 

Live your dream!

 

Easier said than done my brother, but I will die trying.

 

Break on through to the the other side!!!!!

 

i have always made it a point to avoid the norm to some extent...

 

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one. I am also glad for the encouraging words, thanks fellas.

However Jerry, how much is too much? And if it's too little, will it be effective?

 

well my young friend,
the answer is simple...whatever doesnt feel right that is the norm...do the opposite and whatever feels right within the realm of "normal" do it...its ok to rebel...but you dont have to rebel against everything...for instance look at me...im fucking crazy...the good kind though...i take chances...im not a yes man...and i do what feels right within reason...but this took years to figure out...YEARS...everyone is differant and everyone has their own path...finding the right forks in the road really helps and sometimes...you have to double back...i guess this wasnt really a simple answer and its purely my point of view...not at all to be followed...but it makes sense to me...

 

Such energy could very well be used here

The USA is in a position to either promote or destroy world peace, you already know the direction things are headed.

Some would say such a life is wasted...but a life lead by what is true and peaceful defines time well spent.

 

As long as you are willing to pay the price, you will make it.

My path is Central and South America.

If I can do it. You can do it.

 

I do not feel like I have to forcefully avoid or accept something in order to somehow confirm my individuality.

In other words:

I do not feel like I have to prove that I'm an individual to myself.

 

Truer words were never spoken.

 

Why would you have to?

Just curious.

 

All I'm saying is that forcing yourself to not be a part of the norm just makes you a part of the norm.

You should just be yourself.

...and possibly cook some chicken. I miss my kitchen.

 

That's what SlydeHippie was saying -- he just wants to be himself.
Me too.

 

Make sense to me. Being yourself is good.

Mmmmm! Love eating chicken. But all I have here is Chinese food, oh well sweet and sour shrimp is good.

 

Chinese food, good. I made some sesame chicken yesterday.

Being oneself does not necessarily mean breaking away from the norm. There is a part of "the norm" in all of us, and it's not necessarily negative.

 

I'm glad for you. Sounds like a good plan. Thumbs up.

 

Well for me the norm is in the USA I can go anywhere and get anything I want and back in less than 15 minetes.

In Central America if I want food I have to drive 30 minutes to get eggs, then another half hour to get to a store that has other things. Then I wait 20 minetes for them to gather up the case of coke from the store room, that I could have snagged in less than 30 seconds because I can see them in the store room.

Then if I want chicken I have to drive to another place and wait another half hour for them to get the order.

I suppose different places have different norms. I never thought about it that way.

 

Slyde man,
If it's what you really want to do, don't let anybody or anything talk you out of it. You only live once, life is short, live your dream.

If you ever make it as far as Thailand, look me up. I love walking and really wanna walk from here to India...REALLY.

One thing though, don't go against the grain just to go against it. I found myself doing this for some years, always trying to do the opposite of what was expected of me.

I would go out of my way to not follow the norm, thus actually allowing the norm to control my life. I've matured somewhat since then.

PEACE,
A.

 

Thanks for the words brothers, I appreciate it.

I'll make a thread soon to keep you guys posted.

I'm not necessarily attempting to live my life rebellious. Although if this is what it turns out like, then so be it. I'm not one of those kids that purposely go against what is said just because Authority bothers them.

I will follow what is logical and has rational reasoning, and unfortunately, many of the things here in the U.S. or even any law system, are not so. People in position of power have taken advantage of this, and only govern their land in their best interest. I do not wish to partake in any of this nonsense.

I also have given up Debating. I used to Debate about Religion and Politics. The 2 most controversial subjects. To my surprise though, I realize that this is pointless. I will share my beliefs, but I will no longer sit there and argue over who's right and such, it proves nothing. Most people are stuck in their ways, you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

Anywhom, sorry I started rambling.


Thanks again for the words, I am going to live my dream.

Peace and Love, John.