I've always had a problem with authority- truly. I don't like people telling me how to act/be/reply/create or anything unless I seek it out.

So I started to think to myself - why is that?

What is that I fear that would make me react to being told what to do?

It's ego based - I believe - It's the belief that someone is taking away my control, my space, my 'self'

so if I take the 'ego' out of the equation - what do I think?

Well - to each his/her own - I don't need to do what the other person says or does... you accept the input, but do your own thing.

Do you respond? Do you tell the person that they shouldn't be interfering in your life?

Shrugs - I think it depends on the degree in which that person has an effect on you - after all it only becomes an 'issue' if you let it become one. With my spouse - yeah all the time :-D with others... again it depends on whether or not the suggestion is valid or not... it depends on how 'strong' the authority is... and you can always respectfully disagree with any opinion whether or not it comes with a mandate to do something - remember there's always a choice. Even if it seems like an 'order' there's always a choice.