Are we really free to be ourselves?

As my first post ,on this blog, I figured I would try to make it interesting.  So, I ask the question, are we really free to be ourselves? 

Who are you?  Who am I?  Who is anyone really?  Is there anyone left that does not conform to the standards of their own society?  Changing, like chameleons, with each hard spot you encounter?  Change is sometimes good, but you shouldn't lose your moral values or your beliefs, just because you are different from your family, or friends.  A black sheep never hurt anyone.  Actually, when I meet a fellow black sheep, it is like a breath of fresh air!  Someone who does not always conform, someone who respects their own opinions, no matter how different their opinions may be. 

Parents, for one moment, think about your children.  You know how little kids go through this, "I want to be a ..... when I grow up!"  At that moment, do you support their dreams and ambitions? When do you stop supporting them?  If you are going to call little Sally a mooch or a bum when she is 20, because she made the decision a long time ago (a decision you supported, in the moment) to become the next great artist, and it is taking her a while to go from good to great, then why ever support her dreams in the first place?  Better yet, just come crashing down on her goals and dreams by telling her that she isn't really allowed to be who she wants to be, not unless she wants to lose the support from the people who are supposed to support her the most. 

What about Johnny?  What if he chooses to marry the woman who means more to him than life?  Ohh, Sally isn't right for Johnny, you say?  Why is that?  Why should Johnny care about who you like and who you do not like?  Should he care?  Why not just raise Johnny to believe that he is not allowed to love who he wants to love?  Save him the heart ache and stress. 

Sometimes people need to take a leap back and realize how they are raising their children in a world of lies and contradictions.  The only change that is really needed is a change of heart.  You can be yourself, but you should allow Sally, or Johnny, or whoever, to have the freedom to be themselves also.  Be who you and to be, love who you want to love, and how dare you step on anyone's dreams!  If you are opinionated, give your opinion, but do not give your opinion in a way that will hurt anyone.  Love everyone, stop raising chameleons, stop being chameleons.  Different is beautiful, so see the beauty in everyone's differences.  The best rule to live by is, "live, laugh, and love". 

Never forget to stop to smell the roses every so often.