rebellion Archives - Sandi Amorim

Back in my art school days, there were always students trying to emulate the über cool New York art scene. Their clothes, their attitudes, and most especially their art cried out, “Look at how arty and cool we are!”

I laughed because somehow I knew that trying so hard to look cool and be a rebel did not a rebel make.

One of our professors used to tell us often,

“You’ve got to know the rules to break the rules.”

Their mindset however was more “break the rules to break the rules” or rebellion for its own sake.

It seemed a superficial rebellion, and I wasn’t interested in that.

So I kept my head down and did things my way. I didn’t waste my time fighting against them or the ‘rules’ but instead focused my time and energy on what I wanted.

I became a covert rebel, flying under the radar, free to do what I wanted and it worked pretty well.

Fast forward to present day; I’m in the midst of rebranding and it’s not an easy process. In a way, it feels like I’m rebranding my life, not just my business.

You see, I’m about to turn 50 and while there’s no midlife crisis happening, there is a transformation in process and what’s coming up everywhere I look is the rebel.

Could it be at the golden age of 50 it finally feels right, and even necessary, to lead the rebellion?

My rebel’s always been there, in charge and committed to living my core values of freedom and integrity, but is it time for her to step out and into the spotlight?

“A little rebellion now and then is a good thing.” – Thomas Jefferson

And then I found myself wondering if we all have a rebel inside.

So I asked this question in my communities. . .

What does it mean to you personally to be a rebel?

Here’s what I heard in response:

Being a rebel means,

following my own nose instead of the crowd’s nose
being myself and following my own rules
being me, not who they think I should be
acting from my place of being, not the societal standard
being willing to question, disagree, and choose a different path
it’s about integrity, showing up with all my values intact
living in what I want instead of what society tells me I should want
making my own rules, always checking in to see if my values and integrity are in line
moving beyond the social norms, the shoulds, etc.
listening to inner guidance instead of outside rules
living life truthfully
having the guts and tenacity to go after my dreams
letting my quirky freak flag fly

I was moved by the vulnerability and courage of these thoughts, and it seemed more true than ever that we all have a rebel inside.

“With rebellion, awareness is born.” – Albert Camus

“Being yourself, being who you are,
is a successful rebellion.” – Unknown

Brene Brown says,

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of everything we are hungry for.”

A rebel is the embodiment of this, taking a stand for what’s important, what they hunger for.

It’s contrary to the widely held view that a rebel fights against something.

Instead it’s the fight for something that fuels their fire.

With so much pressure to confirm, has your rebel become dormant?

Suppressed and shut down by the push to:

go with the flow
never rock the boat
be seen and not heard
keep your head down and stay safe

The primal fear of being kicked out of the tribe is powerful. We do so want to belong, but at what cost?

The cost is that you sell out on what you desire, what you most hunger for in life.

It’s a cost that eats away at your soul.

Do it long enough and you hardly notice. . .

Until one day someone speaks of rebellion in a new way and your ears perk up. Your heart flutters, the spark comes to life, rekindled as the old way is challenged.

That day has come.

I’m asking you to see yourself as a rebel, a *deva-lutionary willing to question the beliefs that have long kept you in the dark.

It’s time to wake up, to rebel, to become relentless in this pursuit.

You can do this.

* A deva-lutionary is committed to questioning the beliefs that have kept her in the dark. She changes the world by looking inward, igniting a revolution from the inside out. She rebels for that which is important to her, not for the sake of rebellion itself.

A deva-lutionary has the heart and courage to be herself without apology, a warrior willing to do what it takes to play in the light.

Igniting revolution from the inside out.

rebellion

Invoking the Rebel

Being a rebel means,

Hungry for Rebellion