The book of life doesn’t have one set author. It is written and rewritten, rules are changed, added and taken away. The book is then handed down from generation to generation for parents to use to raise their children.

This book I am referring to is something every family has access to. It is a form of instruction that parents pass down to their children. Those parents received it from their parents and their parents before them. They are the ideals that children have the option to use, modify or reject. Those ideals are then adopted into their lives and they pass them down to their children, and so on and so forth.

I believe what passes down from generation to generation are the ideals and beliefs of parents or even a single parent, what they have experienced in their own lives and how they have incorporated their knowledge into the ideals they currently live by. From their parents, children gain manners, habits and styles, as well as other things. Usually through example, children learn the building blocks to living life. Children like to imitate. Through parental influence, things like political affiliation is derived. When grown up, the child then has the choice to either continue on the path of their parents or form a new one. From the beginning, it’s just normal to assume the identify of your parent and rely on their judgment.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t perceive parental guidance as a bad thing. It is a valuable practice. The only issue I see is children not knowing when to take their own reigns. It is perfectly admirable to have the same beliefs as your parents and embrace their ideals, such as the same religious denomination. The question you must ask yourself afterward is, “when do my ideals become my own and not my parents?”

Allow me to explain. Parents raise their children with certain principles, what they deem to be right and wrong. At some point those children will need to grow up and follow their own path and commit to their own ideals for their own lives. Eventually, as discussed previously, passing them down to their children.

This translates to something as simple as how you align yourself in a political fashion. What your morals and ideals are can be defined through a political affiliation. I’m sure you can surmise that at least the initial basis for the principles by which you became politically formed is because of your parents. My question to you is, at what point did you consciously make that affiliation your own decision?

I suppose around the ripe ole age of 18 would be opportune — it is the voting age after all. When it comes to voting — your duty as a citizen of the United States — does your decision best represent you, or your parents? Or are both served at once? For that matter, in any political activity, can you honestly say you made your decision based on your own ideals, or do you find yourself realizing that you made your decision because of your parents?

Living in the country that we do, with freedoms that you have, makes being an individual a gift. You have the opportunity to engage or not engage in political endeavors. When you do participate in the freedoms this country has provided to you, it becomes important to remember why. What motivates your decision to vote for this certain candidate or agree with this certain bill?

You have the beautiful opportunity of being your own person, the freedom to make your own decision and the allure of individuality. Using what your parents gave you, as a child, is most definitely encouraged. Amplifying what they gave you to make your own decision, based on your own adopted beliefs, whatever they may be, is even more encouraged.

This is not a rebellious plea for you. It is a request to become your own person. Do a lot of research and find out what aligns with your ideals. Understand why your parents believe the way they do and why they are politically affiliated the way they are. Then, either take it or leave it and make your own path.