Not Courageous, Just No Choice

A friend expressed

That she sees me as

Courageous

For the way I choose to

Live life

My only reply was

“Honestly, I feel like I don’t have a choice”

I didn't choose to value what I value

Autonomy

Growth

Achievement

Self-reliance

Solitude

Truth

These values just happened to me

I rebelliously follow

What I value

Without concerning

Myself  with who will agree or disagree

I cannot live any other way

I cannot pretend to hold other values

I cannot yield to what I don't value

Valuing what I value

Isn't the best way to fit in society

If I had a choice to hold other values

I can’t say I wouldn't consider

Changing them

Loyalty

Family

Obedience

Conformity

Religion

Are values that are

More aligned with

Cultures across the world

And they make life...

Definitely not easier but...

Gosh I can't even think of a

Positive word to use because all

That comes to mind is

Boring, restrictive, lacking,

Fake, frustrating, unfulfilled, destructive

Devoid of creativity and meaning,

Devoid of discovery and transformation

I rather feel like
My values happened to me
Than to feel like
I'm following the values
That someone else imposed upon me

Either way
I'm not sure there's a choice involved