Signs

🚧 Breaking Free from the "Do This, Don't Do That" Noise

Hey there! Today, we’re tapping into the 70s rock rebellion of the Five Man Electrical Band's unforgettable hit, “Signs.” This song, with its tales of roadblocks, rules, and rejection, speaks volumes about how external judgment impacts our internal peace.

We’re diving into the essential themes of Self-Acceptance/Self-Worth and the establishment of powerful Healthy Boundaries.

Theme 1: Rejecting Judgment to Claim Your Space (Self-Acceptance/Self-Worth)

The song is packed with scenarios where the narrator is judged based on superficial criteria—like clothing, membership, or even hair length.

“And the sign said, 'Long-haired freaky people need not apply' / So I tucked my hair up under my hat and I went in to ask him why. / He said 'You look like a fine upstanding young man, I think you’ll do' / So I took off my hat, I said, ‘Imagine that. Huh! Me workin’ for you!’”

This moment of defiance is a masterclass in protecting your Self-Worth.

• The Superficial Test: The job rejection based on a sign is a perfect metaphor for the countless superficial rules the world imposes on us. These rules often lead to Anxiety as we try to constantly edit and perform ourselves to fit an arbitrary mold.

• The Power of Revelation: The narrator’s decision to remove the hat and reveal his true self after being accepted is the ultimate act of Self-Acceptance. It's saying: You accepted me when I was hiding, but my Self-Worth is tied to being seen authentically. True acceptance means accepting all of me, or none of me. This bold act is a powerful demonstration that our internal value is non-negotiable, regardless of external validation. You don't need to change who you are to be worthy of opportunity. 🤩

Theme 2: Putting Up Your Own Sign (Healthy Boundaries & Resilience)

The core message of the song’s chorus reflects the mental fatigue of constant external demands:

“Sign, sign, everywhere a sign / Blockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ my mind / Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?”

This relentless noise leads to Overthinking and exhaustion. The final verse, however, shows us how to cope.

• The Mental Clutter: The "signs everywhere" represent the overwhelming stream of rules, expectations, and judgments we face—from dress codes to social media comparisons. This clutter “breaks our mind” by triggering Anxiety/Overthinking about what we "should" be doing.

• Making Your Own Sign: The final act of defiance happens in church when, having no money for the offering, the narrator makes his own sign: "Thank you, Lord, for thinkin' 'bout me. / I'm alive and doin' fine.” This is a powerful lesson in Healthy Boundaries and Resilience.
  Boundary: He refuses to let the external pressure (the offering plate) dictate his internal state. He sets a boundary against the expectation to perform wealth.
  Resilience: He chooses a message of Gratitude and Self-Worth—declaring that simply being alive and doing fine is enough, a spiritual and personal offering far richer than money. When the world demands something you can't give, you get to write your own sign about your inherent value. ✍️

What is one rule or expectation that has been "blockin' out the scenery" in your life, and what is the new "sign" (a self-affirming boundary) you can post instead?