Stop Telling Me What to Do

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I don’t claim to know everything. I hope everyone who reads what I write understands that. I hope people who read what I write understand that I’m just trying to help by putting what I do know and more tenuously but less definitively what I think into words. I hope everyone else out there understands that they don’t know everything either. No one does. No one can.

And yet there are some who feel sure that their way is the right way with no room for deviation or difference. And they have no second thoughts about telling everyone who will listen and the vast majority who don’t want to. I get a bit tired of being told I’m living my life wrong. If it’s true, then I will be the one who ultimately suffers. If I’m not (and even if I am), I don’t want to listen to other people’s judgements on actions that only affect me.

So let me say this. (No, actually, I don’t care whether you let me or not, I’m going to say it anyway.) Stop telling me what to do.

Stop telling me to be Christian. Stop telling me to be Muslim. Stop telling me to believe in God. Stop telling me not to.

Stop telling me to couple up. Stop telling me stay single. Stop telling me to have sex. Stop telling me to be celibate. Stop telling me to have children. Stop telling me not to have them.

Stop telling me to get a job. Stop telling me to get a better job. Stop telling me to be a leader. Stop telling me to be a follower. Stop telling me not to work at all.

Stop telling me to vote. Stop telling me not to bother. Stop telling me to eat. Stop telling me to eat less. Stop telling me to eat differently.

Stop telling me to exercise. Stop telling me to relax. Stop telling me to be more confident. Stop telling me I’m too arrogant.

Stop telling me to write. Stop telling me not to write. Stop telling me to talk. Stop telling me to shut up.

Stop telling me to watch. Stop telling me not to watch. Stop telling me not to watch it again.

Stop telling me to try. Stop telling me to give up. Stop telling me to care. Stop telling me not to obsess.

Stop telling me to read. Stop telling me what to read. Stop telling me I read too much.

Stop telling me to love. Stop telling me not to love. Stop telling me to dream. Stop telling me I’m wasting my life.

Stop telling me what to do.

I don’t want your advice, your orders, your morality or your opinions.

Stop telling me what to do.

If I want the benefit of your guidance, your experience or your hindsight, I’ll ask for it.

Stop telling me what to do.

I don’t want your disdain, your discouragement, your despair or your disrespect.

Just stop telling me what to do.