10 signs . . .

10 signs that society controls my mind or actions
1. the clothing i choose = successful, professional woman
2. my hairstyle, although i've flaunted this rule many years
3. personal refusal to be a statistic in negative circumstances b/c i am divorced. i am not a failure or a success in life based on my marital status.
4. traditional gender roles - although i often ignore these
5. the ingrained idea that women should be thin or always dieting to be thin
6. the indoctrinated view that women should always try to look younger
7. prescribed role that women should wear makeup to enhance their beauty, or at least conceal their lack thereof. trust me, a bottle of foundation doesn't do it for some people!
8. fashion trends - because there is often nothing else to buy. another gem of wisdom -- just because they make it in your size doesn't mean you should wear it!
9. belief that the court system and law enforcement system should be revered and obeyed. after years of always following the rules here, i decided that the system that had allowed my children to be abused and kidnapped by their father (w/ no punishment for his outrageous behavior) probably wasn't going to punish me for not following the rules either.
10. i don't carry a firearm in my vehicle because of the "safe schools act".

10 examples of the ways that society operates at odds w/ my personal philosophies
1. allowing or encouraging the idea of "i can't"
2. not holding individuals accountable for their actions
3. belief that it is acceptable to use people to get ahead
4. money is more important that people
5. commercialism of holidays as "true" meaning
6. the family unit is not the strongest building block in society
7. reading and learning is not a priority
8. setting a "limit" on what should be learned (only teaching to the test -- usually the state test used for accreditation and/or funding)
9. not holding the parents/students accountable for their education
10. using material possessions to "keep score" or assign personal worth

10 funny signs i have seen
1. don't bitch. start a revolution
2. question authority (always LOVE this one!)
3. you laugh because i'm different. i laugh because you're the same.
4. i don't need your business bad enough to put up w/ your attitude.
5. shit for sale
6. you're the only who thinks you are normal
7. your ridiculous opinion has been noted
8. don't piss me off -- i'm running out of places to hide the bodies
9. microsurgical vasectomy reversal - not always the answer, but an option. not guaranteed. (interstate billboard)
10. vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
as to be hated, needs but to be seen,
yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
we first endure, then pity, then embrace.
alexander pope 1688 - 1744
*** billboard near ozark christian college in
joplin that has always made quite an impression
on me. the idea is totally true, too, as the sin that
we once found so revolting is eventually tolerated
in society and then accepted as "norm" or
"near-norm". problem is, i wonder how many
people actually understand the quote because
the writing style and vocabulary require the reader
to think, and i know people do not like to do that!