Rules to Live By: Part 1

I love creating systems of rules to live by. Simple ones, of course, but they’re structured, dignified, and classy. I don’t expect everyone to follow these, but I strive to.

Social Media Rules:

First of all, never post on Facebook more than once per hour. I try to keep it at a daily occurrence, but sometimes you just need to broadcast. Any more than that, and you look crazy. Twitter allows for more often, but don’t be crazy.

Have a lot of Facebook friends, but never too many. If you’re between 300-900, you’re all set. Any fewer than that and you look either picky or antisocial, which is fine, but we better be best friends, otherwise I’ll wonder why I made the cut. Any more than that, and you add everyone you come into contact with. That’s a little excessive.

You should interact more than post solo. If all you do is broadcast, then you should just get a blog. (Oh wait…)

Conversation Rules:

Strive to avoid swearing and cursing. Obviously, both have their place, and can be very effective. Don’t go halfway with symbols or non-ironic weak words, (sugar snaps is probably my favorite phrase) but swearing makes one appear immature, and that is not classy.

Talk about yourself for less than 20% of the conversation. Seriously. If you’re not worried about looking self-centered, then think about spacing out your achievements. I could spend an afternoon telling a person everything I’ve done, or spend 10 years surprising that person with all my great stories.

Be honest, then sincere, then polite, and then shut up. If you’re talking with someone who you’re great friends with, you can be honest. That means saying the positives and the negatives. Always. For people not that close, always be sincere by saying positive things only when you mean them. For people even more distant, politeness is the key. If you really can’t stand a person past that point, then it’s best to zip your lip.

Food Rules: (Yeah it does)

Eat what you like and like what you eat, but be ready to like the person you’ve become after eating.

I like to eat more green than anything else. I used to make fun of my grandmother for eating certain foods together “for the color,” but nowadays I’d rather not eat just a white meal. I’ve figured out that if I make my plate mostly vegetables, I can fill with meat/starch and be satisfied, but if I reverse that I just end up with too much food.

Ice cream is a right, but all other desserts are privileges.   

It's Morphin' Time!

Children always want to emulate their idols in the media, it’s a fact of growing up. I should have noticed that all my idols had striking similarity, but what attracted me to them was that they were so far different than I was, and am. My superheroes, or super heroines really, got me through some of my darkest times. They were my joy, my education, and my saviors. Super heroines gave me the impression I could fly away from loneliness, or escape the wicked witch. Even though I have grown up and away from them, they still hold a lasso around my heart.

From the moment I flipped on the TV’s channels, I locked on to the Pink Power Ranger. She was extraordinary. She was so cool with her snappy catch phrases and her girl power persona. I wanted to be her: to be spunky, spirited, and stylish. I guess it was not the norm to be Pink, but it was just right for me. She made me want to grow up, to be a gutsy teenager doing whatever I wanted, but still be respected. Most kids wanted to be a Power Ranger, to save the world and still have time to finish their homework, but I wanted to be something more. I wanted to be the damsel that turned around and saved the hero. I wanted to be brash, and still be beautiful.

With the introduction of literacy, my thoughts turned to a higher grade of super powers. Wonder Woman was everything I needed. She is the epitome of the greatest female. As a bold woman, she shines as the example of human perfection. Super strength, flight, and the ability to make all tell the truth, what is not to love? She does what she wants, when she wants without the trifling of men. I discovered Wonder Woman when my parents had separated, and I remained with my mother. Wonder Woman showed me that I did not need my father to be great; I could fly on my own.

During middle school, I struggled. I was so flamboyant that I walked with a lisp, and every day I faced extreme harassment and humiliation. However, everything changed for me when I went to high school. Hatred flew from my mind faster than a speeding bullet. I was tired of being rebellious and distant, I just wanted acceptance. I came out of the closet late my first year, and I opened the door to a new team of heroes: The X-Men. Their leader, Charles Xavier, teaches a message that I can connect with so very deeply. One does not choose who they are, but one does choose how they shall treat others. Whether it be sexism, racism, or even homophobia, love and equality shall prevail.

I know now that I will probably not fly without the help of machinery, or crush a villain in my hands, but my heroes’ beliefs will always stick with me. I know that I can be strong on my own: I do not need anyone to hold me down. I know that whatever my choices are, the world will love me for them because I am the one who made them. I can be whatever I want to be. I do not have super human powers, but I know now that I do not need them.