One of the interesting things I observe is how some people seek approval from those they believe to be in a powerful or prestigious position. It happens at work, school (we’ve all seen the brown noses), church, or on social media. There’s a price that one pays when he/she seeks approval of another. The price is one’s freedom. Think about it. If I make my decisions based on what I think someone whose approval I need, then I give that person power over me. Not needing another’s approval often comes at a cost especially when it is associated with career mobility. My experience is that any job where you have to suck up to get it, isn’t worth it.
freedom
Today’s Thought: Choose to Think
People who think about things and weigh the pros and cons of issues have an advantage over those who allow others to think for them. When we allow others to think for us we forfeit our freedom. Reject what is bad and uphold what is good.
Today’s Poem: To Freedom by Ralph Chaplin
To Freedom
Ralph Chaplin
Out on the “lookout” in the wind and sleet,
Out in the woods of fir and spruce and pine,
Down in the hot slopes of the dripping mine
We dreamed of you and Oh, the dream was sweet!
And now you bless the felon food we eat
And make each iron cell a sacred shrine;
For when your love thrills in the blood like wine,
The very stones grow holy to our feet.
We shall be faithful though we march with Death
And singing storm the barricades of Wrong,
For life is such a little thing to give.
We shall fight on as long as we have breath–
Love in our hearts and on our lips a song–
Without you it were better not to live!
Today’s Poem: The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus
The New Colossus
Emma Lazarus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Today’s Thought: Happy Birthday, America
Things we take for granted: good health, love, friendship, and freedom. We feel great until we don’t. We’ve all had backaches. They’re no fun. We’re in love and it feels great until love no longer is nearby. For those of us who live in free countries, we’re free until we’re not. Whether it’s health, love, friendship, or freedom, they take constant vigilance to maintain. Freedom in U.S. came at the price of the lives of many brave men and women. One thing we can agree on is that we are a free people and we will always be vigilant to protect our freedom. Happy Birthday, America!
Today’s Quote: We Are a Free People ~ Happy Birthday America!
We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it. ~ William Faulkner
Thinking Out Loud:
A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows the public opinion. ~ Grantland Rice
NOTE: Some years ago there was a BBC show called “The Prisoner.” The show developed a cult following and is available on YouTube. The main character, a former spy, is taken to a remote setting called The Village. He is assigned a number. In his case it is Number 6 (his identity). During the entire series he rebels against being called a number. He shouts, “I am not a number, I am a free man.” When we surrender our freedom to make our choices to another (whether it’s a person, cult figure, or media), we become a prisoner. When we make our choices, good or bad, and take responsibility for them we can shout, “I am a free man/woman.”
Thinking Out Loud:
Today’s Thinking Out Loud reflection is on Boris Pasternack’s work, Dr. Zhivago.
“It’s good when a man deceives your expectations, when he doesn’t correspond to the preconceived notion of him. To belong to a type is the end of a man, his condemnation. If he doesn’t fall into any category, if he’s not representative, half of what’s demanded of him is there. He’s free of himself, he has achieved a grain of immortality.”
Note: The moment we can honestly say, “I don’t have to be who you want me to be. I choose to be what I am destined to become, and I will choose the path,” we are free. We are free to fail miserably. We are free to succeed beyond our wildest expectations. Waylon Jennings in his song, The Chokin’ kind, sang, “You can kill a man with bullets, poison, or a knife / But it hurts him more to take his pride and run his life / Whatever it is you want, girl, I hope you find / But that hat don’t fit my head, ’cause it’s the choking kind.” When we have the internal freedom to live up to the expectations we set for ourselves, we discover the who we were meant to become.
Feel Good Tip ~ Free the Child Within
Enjoying the Rain
I freed the little boy in me yesterday afternoon (August 28th). It rained for ten minutes. I was so excited, I went outside and stood in the rain Be spontaneous. Free the little boy or girl within and enjoy life. It was fun and I felt good.
Feel Good Tip of the Day
Can You Give Up Your Addiction?
On a whim a year and a half ago I gave up caffeine. It wasn’t easy. Living without caffeine has been a freeing experience for me. I can have whatever choice of drink I want with breakfast without having the nagging caffeine depletion feeling. Getting free of whatever holds us is a freeing experience. and applies to all things that have a hold on us. Addicts will say, “I can give it up anytime.” Reformed addicts know that is not true. Is it time to take a life assessment and identify personal addictions? Are any of these personal addictions hurting you or those you love? If you’re answer is “I can give it up anytime” it may be time to test whether or not you can. There are many support agencies that can help.
