Do you DARE to think differently?

As defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary an outlaw is a lawless person or a fugitive from the law, a person or organisation under a ban or restriction or one that is unconventional or rebellious.

They are someone who has broken the law and is on the run or wanted.?Al Capone was an outlaw.?He was excluded from normal legal protection and rights.

Robin hood was an outlaw and the early Christians in the Roman Empire were too!

Fast forward to current times.?Some outlaws are heroes and others are villains.

Thelma and Louise were considered outlaws and drove to their death (fictional movie!)

Julian Assange - freedom fighter, founder of WikiLeaks who dared to published material from Afghanistan and Iraq war logs.

Paul Watson from Sea Shepherd Conservation Society a non profit environmental organisation protecting marine wild life.

Edward Snowden, former CIA employee leaked classified information from the National Security Agency in the USA.

Osama bin Laden joined the Afghan resistance against the Soviets and founded al-Quaeda.

I’ve just finished reading Outlawed by Anna North, a novel featuring?

queer cowgirls, gender nonconforming robbers and a band of feminists that fight against the grain for autonomy.

It got me thinking about what we fight for, why we make a stand and speak up.?What values are at play that are so important, there are some things we simply cannot walk past?

That lead me to the work that journalist Louise Milligan does, the stand that Clementine Ford makes against mysogeny, the action Brittany Higgins took for justice and the action Christine Holgate took to right a wrong.

I see higher purpose, courage, care, vulnerability and?a strong commitment to justice for those who follow.?I know this is simply scratching the surface.?I’m curious about what you see.

There are so many who trail blaze and forge a path for those who follow.?It takes courage to make a stand against what you believe is worthy of your energy or why would you bother at all?

I am reminded of the times I was fired for standing up to corporate bullies for injustice inflicted on staff in the organisation.?The standard we walk past is the one we accept. ?

I left a relationship where the man I was dating was neglecting his kids by not paying the power bill and leaving them alone in the cold.?On ya bike baby.?Goodbye!?I’m still in contact with his kids.?I’m clear that my values are the foundation of how I DO?my life.?

I’m grateful for the outlaws, the misfits and the crazy ones.?This short clip says it all: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z4NS2zdrZc

Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.

My Tips for your inner rebel:

1. Get clear on your values.?Not sure what they are??Notice what makes your blood boil.?This will give you some idea.
2. Look at what it is that you can’t walk past.?Name it.?Write it down.
3. How can you contribute in a way that is meaningful to you and fits who you are??Getting fired might not float your boat.?Signing a petition or donating to a cause might be your jam.?Do something.
4. Notice how you feel now.

Do you dare to think differently? How does that work for you? I'm curious. Tell me more!