Don't tell me not to do that!

Some things are just fun.  You can’t quite explain why but you get a kick out of them.  Maybe it’s something you’ve been doing since you were a child.  Maybe it’s something new. You never thought twice about your hobby. But now someone said they didn’t think you should be doing it. Suddenly, you’re self-conscious whenever you start to do it – crosswords, knitting, leaving kind notes in the bathroom, stamp collecting, whatever. Finally, you reach a crossroads – do you keep doing that thing you enjoy or do you find something new?  Give in to the pressure of pleasing those around you or stick to who you are and what you find enjoyable?  In the end, who should you try to make happy?  Can you live with yourself if you’re miserable? Should you even try? My general rule of thumb is as long as it’s not against any laws or moral codes, then live and let live. But many can’t do this simple act of kindness. They feel it’s their job to be cosmic killjoys and make sure no one is having any fun. Let me give you an example. I was watching a couple the other day at the airport. Love the airport – trapped for hours with little to do. So, this woman is doing something on her tablet and ignoring her male companion. He clearly didn’t like it and says so. Her response was something to the effect that she had switched the game she was playing so it was now something educational. He stands up and shouts, “It’s still gambling!”, as he tries to grab the tablet from her hands. All eyes in the general area are now focused on the two of them. She holds fast and replies, “A free crossword game is not now and will never be gambling. Nor is a free solitaire game. Stop being so crazy.” He storms off, yelling something about cards, gambling and loose women. Whoa, hold up here. How long had that fight been going on? And how in the world did it get started? Okay, I know, I know. I don’t know this couple at all. But why was this guy trying to control the situation? Make her do things he wants her to do? Here’s the thing – the guy came back but never said a word. She had put her tablet away, was just sitting there staring at the wall, waiting. It was sad. This is why I’m always telling people to just be themselves. If we lose who we are then what are we? Nothing, absolutely nothing. And trust me, the look which had come over the woman’s face showed she had become an absolute blank once she put the tablet away. Waiting for someone else to tell her what to be, how to act, what to do. No way she could be happy suppressing herself like that. Yes, there are times we need to be told what to do but this wasn’t one of them. So do what you want, enjoy life and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.