Somewhat to my surprise, it took me to age 60 to believe that my Creator had endowed me with the right to make choices without obtaining somebody else’s permission.  This is pretty good proof that my father overplayed the discipline card, because even now I am careful not to get into too much trouble with authority figures.  I’m 67, for God’s sake – who could be a better “authority” on me, than me? 

On the other end of the spectrum, today's youth seem to have no trouble at all making choices and not caring what anybody thinks – an attitude that may not be so smart or safe for the young and inexperienced.  People are very diverse, so I’m sure there are still parents who teach their children respect and courtesy – military families and Mormons come to mind - but in today’s overly permissive society this must be hard, indeed, to enforce. 

But I remember what a good job I did, as a child, convincing grownups that I was mature beyond my years - when actually I was a mass of insecurities.  This memory makes me hopeful that even today’s headstrong smartasses are lost and afraid inside, desperately craving compassionate but firm guidance.  

Ours is a society of P.T. Barnums, out to dupe any sucker gullible enough to believe their advertising.  Adults do it with makeup and hair and padded undergarments, hot cars and going to the gym; children have to do it with attitude.  But most of the time, the advertising isn't true.  Only people who have truly given up the pretense of making an impression can be taken at face value; but it's very difficult to know who has given it up – and pretentious observers never believe that anyone else could have.  So the uncertainty remains.  

But the point I wanted to make is that mature people really do have the right to make choices that we feel are best for our lives, regardless of whether anyone else approves or even understands them.  Hopefully, our years of trial-and-error in this world will help ensure that those choices will be beneficial.  But even if we make a mistake, our right to do so is God and Goddess-given - as Thomas Jefferson put it, unalienable.  If you've been around for a while but you're still not sure of that, it’s time to claim your independence.  And the responsibility that goes along with it.