Of Dresses and Sneakers

When was the last time you felt like really laughing out loud over the compulsive habit of someone to follow rules, conventions, regulations and the kind? Mine was yesterday.  A friend of was so utterly shocked and perplexed when I said that I was planning to wear sneakers underneath a beautiful dress; her face went blank, even pale if I take some liberty. But the thing is I do not understand the mad rush to follow laid rules and norms. Why should I not do something because I like doing it and not because the society expects it from me? I've seen my friends slogging over studies to fetch marks, and not for the lure of knowledge or interest in the subject. Some have even decided their course of studies based on the society's expectations and norms (read science stream) Why do it? 

 

We are all but mortals we have just this life to live, the duration too of which we are unaware of, so why waste it trying to make sure the society is happy, the regulations are followed or that your decisions are as close to accepted by all a possible? Why not rather live it to the fullest everyday, follow your passion (irrespective of what others think of it), do things because you want to do them and not cause it's what is "expected of you".
It's not revolt, no no, it's the happiness and joy to follow good own heart. Obviously when I write this I do not mean to indicate the norms which relate to our behavior with others, or to the laid standards of public health and morality. Nor do I wish that everyone break laws or do grotesque stuff or even weird things that they do not wish to do. What I'm talking about here is to listen the little voice inside you and have the courage to follow it provided it satisfactorily passes the test of reason and rationality. 

We are all very special in our own ways, have our own preferences, likes, dislikes, favorites. So why should we, instead of living them, do things that are forcible norms and leave us with no happiness? I'd rather stand out than blend in, if that's what it takes to pursue my dreams.

Borrowing from Vikram Seth - 

"You may as well be yourself, because there's no one else you can be. We're here for such a ridiculously short time, in this ridiculously trivial corner of the universe, that is we aren't ourselves, what's the point of doing anything at all? So I would say it all matters, whether it's your profession, whether it's your beliefs, whether it's the person you love, you must go at heart with who you are. Not what someone tells you, nor what your clan tells you, not even what an unjust law tells you. Go with yourself."