RBA

Hello, My name is Herlock and I am a rule breakoholic

We all live with rules in our lives and, as Middle Easterners, we also live to break those rules. We naturally assume that those rules are stupid and we work endlessly to find ways around them.

We, as Middle easterners tell ourselves that we know better, that these rules are set by idiots anyway and that there is no real point in following them. Anyone who has ever been in Egypt will know that every person in the country thinks that the rules of traffic are stupid and don’t serve any purpose. Any one who has been to Oman will know that rules of speed and haste are abandoned at the border. Anyone who’s ever been to Saudi will know that rules of politeness and common courtesy only apply to a select few.

The worse rules to break are the ones we put for ourselves. I mean, if we can’t follow our own rules, those that we have set for our own protection and well being, what does that say about us?

Having said that, sometimes it is good to break rules. Not all the rules are set by wise men with wise intentions. Not all rules are set when the mind is clear and the emotions calm. I, for one, have been, over the last few days, breaking one of my most sacred rules. A rule that I haven’t broken in a lifetime. Last night, I sat and wondered why am I acting against my instincts, good sense and counsel?

The answer is quite simple: Because I dread the consequence of following that rule more than those of breaking it. Having thought about it, I realized that this is the only valid reason to break a rule. It is the only acceptable reason to break a rule. Think about it, what is the use of a rule that makes following it more terrifying then letting go of it? Does such a rule serve any purpose?

I am sure some will come and leave comments citing morality, health, safety and other issues that make the above not apply. However, let it be known that breaking some rules is so sweet that I shall continue to break them and attend my Rule Breaker Anonymous (RBA) meetings every week

Herlock Sholmes