A Day Late and a Buck Short

Why is it that we as a society have an incessant need to focus on the flaws of those around us. Are we just that apt to project our own problems onto others as to blind ourselves from our own shortcomings? I can't help but think, would the world be a better place if we took the time as individuals to accept our flaws and work on ones self versus spending our time and energy on others? There is no manual on how one should or shouldn't live life, so why does the human race feel they have all the answers and push them onto their peers?

On my path of enlightenment, and by enlightenment I mean growing up, I have noticed that those around me spend a good portion of their time telling me what to do. Now I in no way can say I have it figured out. As a matter of fact my complete openness to being lost in this life may be why others spend there time trying to improve my life. But, in some ways I feel like I'm 5 years old again and the people surrounding me have taken the roll of my parents. I know they want nothing but the best for me, but after 25 years I can only assume I must have some grasp on life and how to survive it. I may not be conventional and I definitely work against the mold, but in all honesty what is life but ones playground to find new ways to live it.

If I spent my life mimicking what worked for the guy standing next to me, what exactly is it that I would gain from life? I might find success, I may find an easy way to get around the hurdles of life, But what do I learn? In my mind all I think is that I get to learn exactly what that guy learned. Well... we only live once, why would I want to live a life that has already been figured out. If I only get one shot I would much rather stumble all over the place off the beaten path than live my life following the beaten path the guy before me made.

I may never have all the answers, but I take pride in knowing that the answers I do have no one gave to me.