Breaking Rules
When I first started posting on Medium, I told myself I would always write something by Monday morning, no matter what. As evidenced by my absence over the past three weeks, I have not been compliant with this rule. However, I have no regrets, and I will explain why that is.
In an effort to turn our lives around we often implement rules and regulations that we blindly adhere to. The Golden Rule and The 10 Commandments are two examples of these types of rules that have pervaded throughout history, but there are also rules that we create out of our own being so that we can accomplish particular goals. For instance, someone who is trying to lose weight may implement a rule of never eating past 7:00 PM, or working out every morning, or always bringing lunch to work. Someone who is trying to be more social might force themselves to say “Hi” to at least one stranger a day, or may volunteer to say yes to any networking events they may come across.
More often than not, we judge our character and worth based on our ability to adhere to these rules. If we break them, we see that as a failure, which leads to disappointment and negative emotions. This may be with intent, as we often establish these rules in hope that avoiding these negative experiences may inspire positive change and good habits in the long run. However, blind adherence can cause us to lose sight of our original intentions, and we can become attached to that which has simply become routine.
It is important to remember that no rule is absolute, especially those that we place upon ourselves, and to maintain balance we must indulge ourselves once in a while and break the rules. It reminds us that we are free and in control of our destiny, and it forces us to come to terms with why we initially made the rule in the first place.
What’s most important is to break the rule with full intention and deliberation, with a clear purpose as to why you are doing it. To break rules just for the sake of breaking rules will cause you to doubt the very systems that you have in place, and your belief in yourself and your ability to follow through will diminish quickly. When breaking a rule, it should always be from an experimental standpoint; to reaffirm the original intention behind establishing the rule.
We are ever evolving creatures, undefinable by our very nature. Challenge the fixtures in your life and find time to intentionally break the rules once in a while; it’ll do a lot to establish your true paradigm and solidify your understanding of why you do what you do, and who you really are.
