During yoga class, everything flows freely ... even gas. I've become accustomed to people around me farting in class. It doesn't happen all that often, but when it does, it really doesn't bother me. YOU try to hold it in during rabbit pose. Not so easy.
However, going to a class with my roommate, I realized that not everyone is as comfortable with farting. It's still socially unacceptable and makes people uncomfortable even though it is a natural bodily function, like sneezing, burping etc. I don't know the history behind farting becoming taboo, but it is and Domonique couldn't hold in her laughter when the guy next to us farted.
Ok, you ask, what's the point? Farting is funny to most people? Gosh... brilliant.
No, my point is this: There are certain things that have become socially acceptable and things that are frowned upon simply because of culture, age and religion (and probably a few other things). Often these social norms are norms for a reason: they are the healthy way, or the best for a large number of people (think political systems?).
But I'm finding that more and more elements of my life and way of living are being deemed outside of "the real world" by my family and co-workers. What my parents' generation deems weird, not-acceptable, disappointing, selfish, foolish, etc, is what I'm finding to be my chosen and accepted way of life.
Yes, I want to spend every waking moment outside of my job working out, playing outside and being with friends. What's wrong with that? I don't have a family that is relying on me to cook them dinner and pick them up from soccer practice. Yes, I am a 'stuck up Boulderite' when it comes to what I eat. I refuse to put crap in my body and I think that I get more value from eating less, but fresh and organic, food than eating cheap McDonald's. I prefer living on less income to enjoy more free time while I still have the ability to run, jump, climb, bike and travel than working my ass off until I'm 65 and can't do all of those things. I enjoy change and not sitting in the same windowless office for 35 years for pure survival. What's the point? No, I don't want to settle down immediately and have tons of children and a dog and a picket fence, and a suburban and a dog. No, I'm not sure if there is a God, but I'm also not saying there isn't a god and I'm respecting your opinion. I'm still living my life following moral and ethical codes that are reflective of "Christian" ethics, but removing the judgment. I know God judges, but I'm choosing not to.
My biggest problem is communication. When discussing these ideas and ways of life with my parents, there is no common ground. Our goals are different, our ideals are different, our views are different and our way of listening is different. This leaves me with two options: deny myself and way of life to please my parents, or go my own way and hope they love me enough to eventually realize our differences, get over those differences and accept me with all of those differences included. Heck, they raised me to be the person I am. They sent me to good schools that taught me to look at things in depth before taking what someone tells me as absolute truth. They taught me to love unconditionally. The fundamentals were placed there by them. Now, to get them to understand...
