It has finally happened. You have reached the age at which society has decided that you will, henceforth, be responsible for your own affairs. You can drive a car. You can vote. You can enter into contracts, own property, and enjoy all the other rights afforded someone who has reached the age of majority. Rejoice, for this is a wondrous time.
But temper that rejoicing, because soon, you will realize the corollary. You are, henceforth, responsible not only for your own affairs, but for your own upkeep, as well. You are no longer a claimant of the resources required to bind your spirit to your flesh, or to keep the rain from your brow. Nor is any other responsible for providing these resources. You may not lay claim to the resources of others, to support those causes which you judge worthy. You may labor to help those in need, and worthy is that labor. But you may not force another to labor to help them. For to do so is a greater evil than any that may afflict the needy.
You should also realize that from now on, any resources you receive from someone, be it time, money or property, will fall into one of three categories. You will have traded your production for it, it will be a gift, freely given, OR it will have been stolen by you. Your family no longer owes you anything, and whatever they bestow, will generally be a gift. Please treat it as such. When you trade, you have a right to demand exactly what was agreed upon, but no more. If you receive resources which were taken (directly or indirectly) from someone by force, they were stolen, regardless of any fancy language attached to that theft.
So, congratulations. You have reached the age of majority. But know this. Only when you take on that responsibility and all it implies, will you truly grow up.
(transferred from my other blog)