Breaking Your Own Rules
Start writing a post
Student Life

Breaking Your Own Rules

You are a being made to infinitely change.

13
Breaking Your Own Rules
Pexels

In this wonderfully subjective interpretation of reality in which most of us live in, we are constantly told that we must meet this unreasonably vague standard of living in order to be considered a "successful" human being. We are promised happiness and fulfillment by this socially maintained definition of success while never truly being able to witness the reality of this standard, leaving us disillusioned and empty. The aspect of growth that isn't romanticized is the subjectivity of it and the innate human ability to nurture it. In setting intentions to improve an existence, it is necessary to recognize that because of the subjectivity of experience, people are meant to break every rule they have set for themselves in order to grow.

The social/cultural expectations we place on ourselves and on others prevent us from being able to fully recognize the sanctity and necessity of growth. When we place a standard on someone, we develop an expectation of what success for that person, a being completely capable of sovereignty, might look like. In doing so, we assume that we have the power to determine whether or not someone's life is as it should be. When we assume this power, we lose the ability to truly appreciate a person for what they truly are. When we place standards on ourselves, we set ourselves on a never-ending cycle of disappointment. When we assume that we are meant to experience growth exactly like someone else, we personally dispose of our ability to uniquely experience our own existence. In doing this, we smother the purely authentic being that is in all of us in an attempt to attain a socially-maintained definition of success.

People experience moments in their lives when they are absolutely unsatisfied with their existence. Whether or not the source of this dissatisfaction is self-caused becomes irrelevant with the realization that, in every moment, people are infinitely different and complex than they were before. We are capable of transcending every expectation placed on us because we are beings meant to experience life moment by moment. Growth begins with people using their intuition to set an intention to develop their lives into something they feel they are meant to be.

There is no place you are supposed to be, there is only where you are now. This moment, just like every moment, is meant to nurture growth, which is what you define it to be, not what someone else tells you it is. When we set an intention to better a facet of our lives, we recognize every specifically unique need that we have in that moment. An intention and a standard are separate ideas, for one allows for the natural growth of a being while the other attempts to force a predisposed idea of success on an otherwise hopeful existence, leading to the suffocation of the individual nature of humanity and of God.

In initially setting rules to "achieve" an intention, you do so in a manner that you think is best for you at that specific time. Being that an intention is absolutely subjective to your infinitely changing momentary needs, one must expect to break every rule that one sets for oneself. To do anything else is to ignore the reason and the purpose of an intention. Therefore, one of the most authentic things that you can do for yourself is to break every rule that you have made. Make every rule that you need in this moment, and expect to completely destroy them in the next, for you are a being made to infinitely change.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

95744
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments