Okay? I said it. I like rules. I like knowing what I can and cannot do. I like structure. I like rules.
I go to a school that has more rules than most, and while some people are not necessarily thrilled about that, I have to say I really don't mind. I think a lot of the rules at Asbury make sense and have a purpose. They keep us respectful and stop us from being stupid. Well, they try to. I mean let's be real, we're college students, we're going to do stupid stuff no matter what.
We live in a time in history when people don't really like being told what to do. I don't think anyone has ever actually enjoyed it, to be fair. But in the world we're living in right now, no one can tell anybody else that what they're doing might be wrong. You tell someone's kid not to stick their finger in a light socket and the parents get mad at you (I'm being hyperbolic but I wouldn't be surprised if this has happened). Listen, I get that. I do. It doesn't feel good to have someone else tell you what you can and cannot do. But I still don't think complete freedom is actually freedom at all. Without rules we become selfish, whiney brats with no moral standard who only think of ourselves.
It is here that I will insert a caveat: I don't like rules that are unjust or serve no purpose. If I see a rule that is completely arbitrary, you better believe I'll break that rule. And that notion is important in endeavors such as civil disobedience, but that's getting a little past the scope of this post.
I like constructive, well-thought out rules so much that I impose personal rules upon myself. One rule that I try really hard to adhere to is that I only go out to eat as a social thing. It keeps me from spending way too much money on food and helps me (usually) make better food choices. Another rule I've recently given myself is no Netflix in the morning. When I start out my day watching Netflix, pretty soon it's 3pm and I've done nothing but watch Parks & Recreation, which we all probably know I've watched too many times as it is (this is my fourth time through the series, to be exact). I don't want to set myself up to be lazy whenever I have a day off. And yeah, it sucks sometimes when I just want to watch a show and then I have to come up with something else to do. I feel like a bored twelve year old again. But think of all the things I can do without my hours getting sucked away. If I had started watching Netflix this morning I definitely wouldn't be writing this post. I wouldn't have even thought about it.
I have more rules. I have so many rules. Some of them are strict rules (no coffee after 3pm when I have to get up for work the next day) and some are more like guidelines or practices (write in my journal every night before bed. Yeah, that's actually something I do). Some of them are seasonal or periodical (I give myself a goal to strive for each school year). And to be honest, I think I'm a better person because of those rules/practices/habits/whatever you want to call them.
So listen, I'm not saying don't question rules. Actually I'd say always question rules. Ask if they make sense, if they serve a purpose, and if they're for your own good. If they don't pass the test, then do whatever you want. But I'd advocate for following the good ones, and for some self-imposed ones as well. You want to quit a habit? Make some rules. Tell your friends about them and make them help you stick to your guns. It's okay if you don't like rules as much as I do, but take a minute to appreciate them.
-Lisa
