I was getting upset at books I was reading. Most recently it was Freedom by Sebastian Junger. A complete book in 133 pages. The upsetting part is what people are creating outside the norm without permission. Three chapters: Run, Fight, Think. Sebastian chose his structure. He followed where the book took him. Not the expectations of what a book should be. This also happened with Rupi Kaur’s poetry books.
Maybe those books have always existed. Maybe people not following the “rules” failed to enter my atmosphere. Maybe, it was a lack of, or a fear of… whatever the lack of or fear of was. Insecurity? Listening to others, to follow a particular path? Coloring in lines others had pre-drawn.
Whatever the reason, the permission has been given. Examples have been provided. They are your words to share however you choose to share. The only gatekeepers are the ones you seek approval from, are told you need approval from, or think you need approval from.
Rupi was turned down by major publishers for her book of poetry. Poetry books don’t sell she was told. Her words could have stayed on a hard drive, in a notebook, locked in a drawer. Instead, she self-published and became a worldwide sensation.
We are told people know things. We should follow this path or other. *Blank* is what is takes to be successful. *Blank* is what’s needed to be x, y, or z. The world is littered with people who could have if only they hadn’t listened to those that said you need to do or be “x”.
How much further would we be today if we hadn’t crushed hopes and dreams of those willing to color outside the lines.
Stop forcing kids, yourself, your friends, and co-workers onto the standard path walked on and paved over by so many others. Stop doing it because that is what you were taught and told.
I’ve written about permission before, and it will be written about again. The only permission promoted is the permission to not need permission. Follow your instinct. Create a different path. Be the permission for another to form their own path. You are not only forging your path, you are an example those who find you.
A Vegan Father… redefining words like what it means to need permission to do.
Posted. Not Perfect.
A Better Father 