A bridge over a beautiful waterfall

A bridge over a beautiful waterfall
Nature brings magic

Sunday, April 20, 2014

R for Rebellious


What do you think of when you hear the word rebellious? I think of teenagers trying to declare independence from the authority figures in their lives. And the definition of rebellious lends itself to that: defying or resisting some established authority, government, or tradition; insubordinate; inclined to rebel.

The truth is everyone has a little bit of a rebellious streak. How many times have you challenged those in authority in your life, whether it was successful or not? How many times have we wanted to do something completely out of the norm or us, just wanted to break free from our ordinary lives? I know that I've felt that urge many times.

Himself felt that need. He's now a part owner of a business that is starting to take off. They struggled for a few years but they finally found their niche market. Himself rebelled against the idea of a boss/worker relationship and instead went his own way. He found a new place where he could be happy after that bit of rebellion.

Then there's me. I felt safe in my life as an employee in a large company. It was stressful but ultimately it was what I thought I wanted. Then something changed and I was no longer able to work there. I wasn't able to work a regular job anymore at all. I resigned myself to living the rest of my life dependent on someone else for income. I didn't want that. I wanted something else. So I rebelled against my expectations. I found some work as a freelancer. It isn't much now but it will open up more opportunities for me as I go forward.

Sometimes a little rebellion is good. It shakes us out of our complacency and gives us the idea that there's something more out there. Consider the risks you're taking though. Are they worth it? What will you lose by taking those risks?

We still had a rather large and steady income when Himself lost his regular job. It took six months of fruitless job searches for him to join his friends in starting their business. Remember what I said about finding their niche market? It's taken three years of little to no income. Remember what I said about me? Right now we're scraping by, living month to month with no money to spare. But we've both found ways to change our situations by challenging what those in authority have dictated we must do with our lives.

A little controlled rebellion can be very beneficial, if it's planned out. I know it sounds like a strange thing. A planned, controlled rebellion. Take time to look at it from all sides and figure out if the risks outweigh the gains or not. If you can honestly say that you stand to gain more than you lose, test the waters. Take a chance. You never know what can happen.

7 comments:

  1. I still with theoretical conversations about rebellion. For me, it's often part and parcel of the unhealthy relationship with my mother. I really have to think hard to stop myself from rebelling against anyone telling me to do anything because after all, my mother's my only mother and no one else is to blame for her nasty way of treating me. But in your talk about you and himself in regards to work, I think that's part of my issue with Shaman- He doesn't understand how I simply can't stand in that employer/employee relationship. He would prefer to be a manager- like of a gaming store- but He can handle doing other jobs. I just can't.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's the way Himself felt. It's why when the job hunt went south he joined the guys for the company. Me, I'd have a panic attack if I had to work in a traditional company now.

      Delete
  2. lol "I struggle with..." you can see my lack of sleep, in struggling to get Shaman to take care of Himself

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've had my bouts of rebellion and risk taking. Some panned out others were a disaster, but I don't regret any of the sojourns.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I regret nothing. (Okay, that's not true. I regret a few things.) ;)

      Delete
  4. Best of luck to you in your rebellion! :)

    ReplyDelete