Challenging Traditional Views Of Living With Humor

After dinner, my mother looks at me with distain and shouts \"what are you even doing with your life?\" I replied with: \"what else is there, I work and take care of both of you\". Continuing in a fury, she yells \"Go get married and have a child!\", to which I responded with \"You'll both be my children, I mean what else is there? I'm complete\". The comment brought us both to a smirk as my father walks out in a fit of laughter and asks me so who's going to take care of you when we're not around, and I went \"the government? and if not maybe a few of my buddies and I take care of one another in a trailer park together and have a campfire every weekend\". As everyone was in high spirits, my mother slides in that it's too much and she doesn't know what to do with six caregivers. I added that I thought it was time she developed some kind of habit that we could all support. For example: rare books, dolls, paintings, coin collection? Take your pick, don't be afraid to get odd about it. 

In a lot of traditional cultures and biological drives tell us that there is something wrong with us if we don't have or want traditional ways of living out a life. But an authentic life is one where one becomes the author of their life, living it in their own unique way. This isn't to say that there is anything wrong with wanting the white picket fence and all its trimmings but to say that we all also express that desire in a unique way that is different from our neighbors. No two people are exactly the same, so no two expressions will ever be the same. Having a family is not for everyone and depending on what stage they are in their life and goals for life, it may not be the most advantageous and may even be harmful to oneself and others. Allowing one's intelligent creativity to design a life that is exists in parameters and rules that suit that individual and people involved is paramount. My siblings and I love our careers and enjoy time to explore our external and internal world and thoroughly enjoy babysitting. Even as I state all these things, I know that one day my mind may change and I will have to deal with it. Everyone unfolds at their own pace, and their decisions are not only a personal reflection on the parental failure or success. We are all sentient, sovereign beings trying to just be who we are and seeking harmony in relationships: with others, with our feelings and with our mind, body, and spirit.