Rules Are Meant To Be Broken

In order to make a rule effective, two puzzle pieces are required:

1.        The enforcer MUST be consistent, fair and firm.

2.        The people to whom the rule regulates must obey the enforced rule.

Agreed? If so, you can stop reading because I ain’t told you nothing you didn’t already know.

However, if you do not agree, continue, I want to discuss our disagreement.

 Why? I’m glad you asked. I want to discuss this issue of RULES so that we each have an opportunity to present our cases.

I used the word “case” versus argument, fight, quarrel or another negative connotation used to describe a “difference of opinion.” Okay, so moving right along.

1.        The enforcer MUST be consistent, fair and firm.

Dude, I promise you this is one of the factors. I’m not gonna use a statistic I read in an article, book or saw on tv. I’m going to use MY LIFE.  *Note: I only blog when something inspires me to do so.*

Over the past 10 months, I’ve accumulated (4) tickets issued by Jackson County:

1.        Parking in a NO PARKING zone

2.        Not using a turn signal in a school speed zone.

3.        Running a red light (stoplight camera)

4.        Improperly driving in a turning lane in a school speed zone.

Honest enough? So it was to NO surprise to me that I received multiple reminders of court dates and penalty fees that were accruing on my behalf at the Jackson County Court House. For the LAW (rule) says that if you commit a crime (on any level), you will suffer the consequences. Sounds legit right? Right!

However, what caught me by surprise is when I received a letter in the mail issuing a warrant for my arrest and a notification that my DL has been revoked until said warrants have been paid in full. I didn’t wanna tell you this part, but hey, if you report me to KCPD one of two things are bound to happen: 1. I will find out and HUNT you down and 2. I will probably go to JAIL. Do you boo boo, but you GOTTA be out yo’ rabbit…to think I won’t seek revenge. #IJS

Now, I’m not gonna justify my crimes…at least not on this blog LOL which moves me to the next portion…

2.        The people to whom the rule regulates must obey the enforced rule.

So, let’s just call me a “law-breaker.” I n the eyes of the state, I’m nothing more than a driver that neglected to read the NO PARKING ZONE sign, was more focused on getting to work on time than realizing the cars were driving under 25mph for a reason and did not stop at the red light. Simple as that; it is what it is.

Conclusion: Are the posted signs for NO PARKING and SCHOOL SPEED zones ineffective? Do the stoplight cameras need to be removed? YES LOL ahahahahahahaha *sigh* No, they are effective but Tam has dynamically succeeded in ducking and dodging the PO-Pos for the past couple months. Man, I got rent to pay EVERY 1^st of the month. WTBS, I don’t have the $ to pay these tickets, warrants, fees and penalties. So how ‘bout y’all pray that the Lord would make a way ahahaahahha….I’m laughing b/c of my next part…make a way that I can stop shopping, start saving and more importantly not break out in a sweat every time I see FLASHING….LIGHTS (lights..lights)….Have a great day!

Think about this post the next time you make an exception to the rule.

Age Ain't Nothing But A Number

I’d like to discuss this whole relationship between AGE and MATURITY.

Why? I’m glad you asked. Here’s why I can’t hold it in any longer:

1.       There is no such thing as a 20s, 30s or 40s mistake in judgment.

2.       Just because you’re older than me does NOT mean you are wiser on EVERYTHING!

3.       I respect my elders, but I’m about to go HAM on some of them in the near future.

Let’s be clear, some mistakes in judgment are age-appropriate. Agreed? Great, let’s move on. My evaluation of life, meaning my priorities, has changed drastically from age 16 to 26. However, the change in judgment was NOT simply because I got older; it was because LIFE taught me to be wiser.

In an ideal world, a 40-year old would not make the same mistakes as a 18-year old, right? Welp, I don’t hafta tell you that honey, that ain’t how the cookie crumbles in 2011. The same setbacks, struggles and complexes we have now, started forming years ago and sadly, will not dissipate with age IF we do not learn in the process of growing older.

That moves me on to the next point. Do not automatically (meaning you have not considered that you’re wrong) place YOUR opinions on a superior level just because you are older than the person you are talking TO or ABOUT. I do NOT feel the need to dwell on this. I will say that I’ve learned more about life, honesty and forgiveness from my godchildren and children I spend time than most of my friends and family who “should know better.”

Here’s the REAL reason I wrote this: I respect my elders, but I’m about to go HAM on some of them in the near future. In case you don’t know what I mean: If one more person older than me disrespects or disregards me I’m gonna return the favor.

Why? ‘Cause they gon’ LEARN TODAY! LOL

You can’t dish what you can’t take. I was taught to NEVER disrespect adults, my older siblings, parents and really any person older than me because it was the right thing to do and it’s a sign that “your mama didn’t teach you no better than that.”

HOWEVER, no one ever prepared me to let someone older than me DISRESPECT me simply because they were born in a different century or decade than I.

Final words: Your behavior dictates your MATURITY LEVEL which SHOULD reflect your age. Any time someone acts in contrary to what you expect someone their age should, ask yourself this: Am I assuming that this person actually matured with time? Assumptions are rarely based on truth; if they were, then it would be a FACT versus an OPINION.

Ignorance is only bliss when you’re too young to be punished or too old to care about the punishment. I’m neither so I try to remain aware of my hang-ups so that they do not become rumors or weaknesses in my character.

My advice: practice what you preach or take the robe off, close the book up and remove yourself from the pedestal you have stepped up to.