Live Your Life for You

I believe we are all conditioned by the people around us to be something we're not. From the day we are born, each and every one of us as human beings are taught to live by a certain lifestyle and that's what we believe is "right."

The very moment we open our eyes and take our first breath, we immediately start learning. We see white walls, bright lights, so many random people gawking and smiling in our faces, relatives we don't even know yet sporadically popping in and out and most importantly, we see Mommy and Daddy.

We learn so many things in our earliest years and who else to learn from than our parents? We watch them eat, drink, use the bathroom. We hear them talk and laugh and sing and sometimes yell. We get used to certain traditions, lifestyles, and voices. We see Mommy talking on the phone all day while Daddy's at work or Daddy yelling because he's working too hard. Not everyone has the same "home life," but everyone is conditioned to a certain way of life.

I remember one time in the third grade, I was surrounded by my peers. We had a guest speaker come in to talk about health. You know those speeches about obesity in America where they show you how much sugar is in soda and they tell you that you should always drink water instead? Well anyways, they were talking about what was correct and what wasn't so of course we were being graded for participation so question after question came at us and in unison we answered. They finally asked, "What kind of milk do you drink at home and what is the healthiest?" I yelled at what seemed to be the top of my lungs, "RED TOP!" while everyone around said "blue top." I knew at that moment we were all living different lifestyles.

When you're nine you're TOLD what milk you're going to drink because your parents don't think you'll care if you don't like something as long as they like it. I felt so singled out that day. I was always taught that red top, whole milk, was what you're supposed to drink because that's what was in my fridge. So back to the condition thing... We all learn things from our surroundings. Our parents are abusive, we think it's normal. We live with our grandparents, we think everyone does. That's how being a child is.

So, what makes it OK? Who gets to decide that I HAVE to be just like my parents? Or my teachers, siblings, peers, coworkers, family members, boss? Who says I must live my life the way they tell me? Who the hell died and made anyone queen of telling me how to live life? I am 19 years old and I told myself when I turned 14 that I would no longer let anyone dictate my life and make me feel ashamed of who I am or who I want to be.

Remember that your parents, your peers or coworkers, your boss, your cab driver, your teacher, or your aunt will not be living with or around you forever. They won't be making every decision for you and they damn sure won't be the people you settle with to raise a family. You have to put you first and live your life for you. NO ONE ELSE. Be happy, make your own decisions, and realize that only you can determine how your life turns out. Start making the right decisions now.