Follow Your Own Path.

Every person is different.. we all have our ideas of what is healthy.. and what is not.. I may choose to live my life in a way ...or think in a way that others feel is wrong.. but I cannot tell you how to live.. just as you can't tell me.. That's what makes the world a decent place to live.. I don't require people to be a part of my world.. and if you put that requirement on someone in your life.. then you have not become as independent as you think you might be. Just because I have ideas that are not the most popular.. only makes me different.. I am not saying what I am right or wrong for others to follow.. I only do what is right for me... Each person needs to find themselves.. just as I have spent so long trying to find me.  I have been told that everyone needs certain things in their lives.. okay.. so I concede.. that I need food.. shelter.. clothing.. sleep.. some sense of purpose.. the rest of it is just the icing on the cake.  I enjoy having friends.. I enjoy playing my game.. and there are many other things I enjoy.. but I don't have to have them in my life.  I think that people get that confused.. things they want.. versus things they need... I don't really even care if I'm liked by people or not.. I have talked about my set of standards.. and in the past.. I have sometimes fallen below those standards.. I think we all make mistakes.. or live a part of our lives that we aren't so proud of.. The best way that you can atone from those mistakes.. is to learn from them.. and not make them again.. because no matter how hard you try.. you can't change the past.  I know we all wish we could from time to time... but then you never know what the resulting action would be even if we could... that's a philosophical debate that I really don't have an answer to.. I am not certain that I would change much.. even if I could.. I saw something recently.. and am a complete believer in the "natural order of things"... even if we see something happening that we know is going to happen.. when we make a choice.. it could set off another series of events that might more catastrophic than the first.. only because we don't have the insight to see the future.  I am trying not to second guess my decisions.. my actions.. because they come about.. and I make them.. simple as that.. the only thing I have to do is try to stay on my path as much as I can.. when I leave my path.. by making mistakes.. I have to jump back on it.  Otherwise, I lose who I am.. I can't tell anyone else they should live this way.. but if you are going to worry about all the mistakes you've made.. you will spend the rest of your life in torment... I do have regrets.. we all do.. but instead of dwelling on them... you have to make those decisions a part of your life.. move on and be proud of who you are and what you do.  Once you are able to do that.. it's much more peaceful.. I'm not quite there.. but I am almost to that point... and I feel much calmer in my life... If you feel this is your best course of action.. then follow it.. if you feel like this is a bunch of cow dung on a page.. then follow your own path..