Conformity

Conformity? Or not?

Back in the day, (in the 80’s) “Conformity” was a dirty word. It was the last thing “you” wanted to be…I was into the whole Punk Rock scene. I was the girl in a white tee shirt, and combat pants, the one with safety pins in her ears, one side of my hair was shaved and the other was long, my makeup was…well…theatrical and whose father was very fond of saying “No daughter of mine is going out looking like that!”

I did my share of slam-dancing, listening to: The Sex Pistols, Black Flag, Dead Kennedy’s, and the like. If my parents said one thing, I did the other. An example, “We don’t want that boy darkening our driveway!” So, I told “that boy” to wait for me at the end of the driveway.” I am surprised that they still talk to me.

Some people thought I was cool…while other’s saw right through me.

The truth is I was just a messed-up kid, trying to find her way. I eventually did, but my rebellious streak is still there sometimes. I still have times when I must have adventure and an adrenaline rush. Most of the time now-a-days I conform but only to a point…if someone tries to control me, I instantly do the opposite of what they say to take control back. Ever been there?

Some conformity is good and helps us to fit into “polite society.” But…still I think for myself and raised my children to do the same. That is crucial these days and in this political climate.

My rebellion has changed, I speak my mind, try to be kind and positive and I try to give people a voice when they don’t or can’t have one. I whisper that “you can” when others shout that they can’t. I will always rebel when there is hatred, sheep mentality, suffocation of free will, and narcissists.