Rules and Policies

 I am a rule breaker.  I have been all my life.  It is commonly said rules are made to be broken.  Risk takers break rules and sometimes laws, but I personally try hard not to break laws. I break rules.  I don't give it much thought until I'm called out, then the guilt sets in.  I've tried to not feel guilt for thirty years, but still I know people judge.  Risk takers break the rules.  They have to.  Some people know the rules better than others.

Rules are made by parents, schools, religions, institutions, and companies. Some rules are cultural.  Some are geogrphical. Some are religious.  Usually rules begin at home with parenting and start at an early age.  The rules are guidelines for the safety and security of the children.  Then the children go off to school and are expected to abide by the rules of the schools.

Both society and companies have rules of expectation.  And if one doesn't follow the rules one WILL be judged.  Society makes judgments about people all the time, then everyone is guilty.  And if we say we're just breaking the rules, then that is what it is.  

We often say rules are made to be broken, but the fact is that we say rules are rules.  But now they aren't rules but policies.  Companies have policies.  Some insttituttionss have strict policies.  Some policies are more strict than others.  Some will say there are strict rules and guidelines.  Guidelines mean one doesn't color outside the lines, whatever meaning that has to you.  

Notable artists have broken all the rules like Picasso and Wharhol.  Some say DaVinci had his own rules.  Some go right to the edge like Banksy.  And there are people who create their own rules as they go along.  Hells'Angels, for example, has such strict rules, very few can join.  Ivy League schools have strict rules for admission and their own rules for students who get into these schools.

Some people have strict rules for life and living, while others know the rules but break them anyway.  Law breakers and rule breakers are two totally different people.  I'm a rule breaker, but not a law breaker.  I'm sure I've violated laws, but I try to be obedient to laws, while rules are just rules.  No one goes to prison for violating rules, but one can get fired or disciplined for breaking the rules.  Some rules ARE laws.  

I got to thinking about these things the other day as I thought of myself as a rebel who has broken many rules.  But I don't live with the guilt from having done so.  I simply strive to do better, as is a goal for everyone.  I just smoke a pipe, like my Nording this morning with some Cult Blood Red Moon, and relax about life and living.  It's something everyone needs to do.  Maybe not so much to smoke a pipe, but realize what's done is done and just move on.  Thank you for your time and Peace to each one of you.

Dave