From the North 40: Conundrum: Both to object and serve

I suppose it’s a form of oppositional defiance disorder, a compulsion to both stick it to The Man and not become a The Establishment that makes me shy away from things labeled as “your duty” and “your responsibility.”

I see it in statements that include word combinations like “have to” and “need to.” Many times my mouth says “yes,” while my brain is saying “nope.” I’ll do what I agreed to do, while my brain is still at it with “Nopity. No.”

It’s a backward and unhealthy way of living. I really, really need to stop this way of thinking. (Nope. Not happening.)

I used to tell myself something lik...