“The most thoroughly and relentlessly damned, banned, excluded, condemned, forbidden, ostracized, ignored, suppressed, repressed, robbed, brutalized and defamed of all ‘Damned Things’ is the individual human being. The social engineers, statisticians, psychologists, sociologists, market researchers, landlords, bureaucrats, captains of industry, bankers, governors, commissars, kings and presidents are perpetually forcing this ‘Damned Thing’ into carefully prepared blueprints and perpetually irritated that the ‘Damned Thing’ will not fit into the slot assigned it. The theologians call it a sinner and try to reform it. The governor calls it a criminal and tries to punish it. The psychologist calls it a neurotic and tries to cure it. Still, the ‘Damned Thing’ will not fit into their slots.”
― Robert Anton Wilson
You gave me a box
with my name on it
beautifully lined and the shape fit me
well…almost
“Slip it on”, you whispered
“it will grow on you”
I knew that was true
for if I was to spend time
in the shape you saw me in
it would become me
the parts that didn’t fit
would wither away
but those parts were intrinsic
to who I am
“No thank you, I’ll pass”
you got angry
as so many did before
Family, school, work,
religion, and most friends
all so helpful with their boxes
each one slightly different
and none of them my own.
The only box that fits is infinite
with infinite room to grow
Any other is a container
and I will not be contained
— G A Rosenberg
Blessings, G
Click on images to see full-sized:
He Followed Me Home, Can He Keep Me? by G A Rosenberg
“The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.
–Friedrich Nietzsche
Going along with the crowd is easy. You get strokes of approval from those around you. You get to feel appreciated and heard. You get to feel powerful because a group of like- minded individuals working towards a goal are more powerful. It’s awesome.
But what happens when you find yourself disagreeing with the prevailing opinion? How do you handle it when everyone arounds you says that you’re wrong in what you believe or what you do? Do you cave under collective disapproval? What about when you are certain that you are correct in what you believe (especially when what they disapprove of is how you are living your life) or at least more considered than they are? As Nietzsche said it can be lonely and frightening but it is necessary. For each time we stand up as individuals we are doing our part to liberate all. Living according to our authentic selves (or our true will as some have called it) becomes one of the highest responsibilities we have as adults.
Blessings, G
He Followed Me Home, Can He Keep Me? by G A Rosenberg 
Butterfly Inversion by G A Rosenberg 
