The Box

I have given a term to the life I classify as living within rules and by others expectations.

It is not bad. It can be limiting and can separate us from our own true connection to the  source that created all we know, the connection to all that is living at this time with us, the connection to everything around us that makes our existence possible and life wondrous.

At one time Europeans thought the world was flat. It didn’t make their lives bad, just limited them from more. Most mornings I run a strand on the beach. If that’s what I thought was my duty and all there was, it wouldn’t make it bad, just limiting.

We are a product of our genes and our early environment, says Patt Lynd-Kyle in Heal Your Mind Rewire Your Brain. Those inherited traits and early exposure to behavior we imitate in our first few years conditions how we will behave as young adults and maybe the rest of our lives. Doesn’t make it bad, just limiting.

I grew up in an environment where I was expected to behave and get good grades. It was an excellent upbringing and I did my best to live up to expectations. I followed the path through school and out into the work place. I had religion and I believed in God.

I was motivated to make the best of myself and live up to new expectations. My goals were to make a lot of money and buy the things life intended us to have. I had a great house, family, and beautiful children. I had experiences everyone wants to have.  I succeeded to a great extent. I lived a full life in the box. I love what I have experienced. Did I have joy everyday. No. Was it possible, yes. Am I being unrealistic? I don’t think so. I lived a full life,  it wasn’t bad but there is more.