Heather from TopBlog Magazine gave a few of us writers this assignment:
…This is your invite to write something for the next issue. The theme is “I don’t subscribe to…” but don’t use that as your title…
I scribbled down a few ideas that popped into my head. For my own use, I left the “don’t subscribe to” as my jumping off point just to get going. I’d come up with titles later.
Here are some of the unedited ideas I didn’t go with:
I don’t subscribe to labeling. We live in a world where labels are used as a shorthand way of thinking we grasp the gist of who people are without having to do the hard work of really getting to know them. When, really, it has more to do with how we’ve been trained to make snap judgments about everything and everyone before all the evidence is in. And that’s the problem. Words that have been used to label me are Republican, Democrat, stubborn, easy-going, religious, heathen, conservative, liberal, introvert, extrovert… You get the idea. The fact is that none of these words are true about me; they are only someone else’s limited (and incorrect) perception.
I didn’t go with that one because it was heading into a Psych 101 class.
I don’t subscribe to proselytizing of any kind, but most especially the religious kind. In fact, I’m so allergic to anyone who tries to proselytize that, for health reasons, I have to ask them to leave immediately. Can you think of anything more arrogant and obnoxious than said proselytizer assuming you haven’t thought as deeply and carefully about your spiritual path as he or she has about theirs? People who are successful at influencing others do so by leading by example, not by banging people over the head with their beliefs.
I didn’t go with that one because I’m not interested in opening up a debate with religious fundamentalists, etc.
I don’t subscribe to That’s the way it’s always been done. Actually, I don’t subscribe to anything that encourages sleep walking through life instead of paying attention, continually keeping an open mind while learning, and thinking things through for yourself.
I didn’t go with that one because it was heading toward a rant.
I don’t subscribe to the tug-of-war going on in the dog training world. Have you chosen your side? The side between the alpha wanna-be’s group (the old-fashioned punitive types) and the your dog never makes a bad choice, you are just a bad trainer group (the violently positive types)? I subscribe to relationship-based training that is founded on trust-building and excellent communication; training that gives both yes, that’s right and no, that’s not what I was looking for information — without the need for alpha rolls, ear pinching, chain popping or surgically implanting a clicker into my hand while turning me into not much more than a treat dispensing machine.
I didn’t go with that one because TopBlog Magazine is not a dog-training magazine.
To read what I finally went with, click here.
What don’t you subscribe to?
I like the article you went with.
My three children are almost always hungry and I try to do main meals at regular times, but let them have a variety of snacks in between, limiting the amount of sweet things, but they can have any amount of fruit. Hopefully that’s not too controlling. That clean plate business has been abandoned in this generation, though I grew up with it.
Yes, that’s pretty much where I am with it all too. I still do main meals but they’re smaller portions now. An ongoing experiment…
I don’t subscribe to the idea that beating down anything: coworkers, animals, children is the best way to get them to do what you want. As a child of a parent who wanted nothing more than to make me submissive I very firmly believe that is not the way to treat any living thing.
I also don’t subscribe to any stereotyping, especially when it comes to parenting. I may not be the mom that packs lunches, volunteers hours at the school, has complete dinner on the table, etc. I live in a neighborhood of fairly well-to-do stay at home moms who CONSTANTLY want to judge me. I know there are people who want to be home with their children and that is their goal in life. I think it’s wonderful, but it’s not me. I don’t judge them but I am judged by them so harshly that I am unable to form many relationships with my neighbors.
I essentially have the same list as you, plus more. My goal in life is to me, and have my children be whoever they are.
Yep. To each their own.Â
My way or the highway.
I don’t subscribe to the know it all pressure of others. Did you know there is actually more than one way to wrap a Christmas gift?! The know-it-allers would have you believe otherwise.
I enjoy learning about other peoples’ journeys and I don’t feel guilty for finding my own path.
Half the fun of life is finding the things you enjoy and pursuing them…in your own way.
There do seem to be a lot of control freaks out there. :)
Great finished article! I don’t subscribe to treating children like they’re stupid. If I see one more parent talking to their child in a condescending manner, I’m going to scream!
You will make some kid(s) an awesome mom!Â