Courage To See

The welcoming of the New Year traditionally begins with a retrospective analysis of the previous year, culminating with resolutions focused on positive actions we hope to initiate as we embark on a New Year.

From my perspective the previous year has been one of awakening; the casting off of limiting self-identities and the emergence of a more inclusive understanding of how I interact with my world.  I have traveled from the victim laden identity of Democrat to the freeing identity of PUMA, which has evolved to the embracing and more accurate understanding of me as a Patriot.

The previous year has further solidified my redefinition of political correctness.  Where once I thought PC as catalysis for change, I know see most instances where it is applied as attempts to silence honest discussion.  Far too often the PC police will move from a logic based discussion to a rant, filled with name calling and attempts to shame my particular perspective and truth into submission.

I have been called a bigot, because of stating the horrendous acts perpetrated by Muslims.  I have been called Republican and a racist, because I question and/or oppose the administration on any number of issues.  I have been called a man-hater, because maintain that the vast majority of evil done throughout the world is done by males.  I have been called a hater, because I state unequivocally that males CAN NEVER become female regardless of the mutilating surgery they choose or the drugs they ingest.  I have been called an extremist, because I urge a return to the founding principles of this country contained in the Constitution. When I speak from truth and principles, based on fact, I will not allow others to shame or stifle me to silence.  Guilt is a powerful tool, it assists us evaluating our behavior and in guiding future actions.  However, using the power of the unconscious through unwarranted blame are attempts to manipulate and coerce through an evil distortion of societal pressure.   I alone, will make decisions on my self-identity, holding myself responsible through facts and not emotionally driven intimidation maneuvers.

The subjects I read have changed in the past year.  Where once I read books focused on the psychology of people, I now read books centering on the freedoms of the country.  In an odd sort of way, these two topics coincide; they both deal with creating an empowering experience for the individual and freeing them from the chains that bind them, whether individually psychological or politically tyrannical.

I have continually questioned why individuals embrace the bondage of enslavement.   The benevolence of our society is without equal, as it should be.  As a nation we have never turned away those in need, yet increasing dependence on entitlements, rob us of the freedoms which allow us to self-actualize.  Entitlements from the government are no different than the government possessing a plantation mentality; they will supply your every need and in turn demand loyalty.  The dependence which springs forth from government intervention, stymies the evolution of self-understanding and self-reliance.  Instead of looking to self, family, friends or community to assist us during challenging moments, we become reliant on a nameless, entity whose purpose is not to nurture our soul, assist in unweaving the challenges we have created or prove encouragement for us to move ahead and beyond what we thought possible; rather this entity (the government) keeps us enslaved through their handouts.  The government becomes the mother, father and God of the people; with individuals always hoping… no expecting more from the ideologue focusing on the redistribution of wealth.  Around us, we see it…expectations of deserving or being entitled, not because they have given something of worth to society but merely because they exist.  While I endeavor to understand this shift in consciousness away from empowerment to enslavement, I also will make all efforts to highlight the importance of personal responsibility to those around me.

Responsibility carries great weight, yet it is through responsible action that our country flourishes.  The Congress seems to have missed this memo, as they drive further toward the abyss of ruin.  We have a government out of control, both in expanding size and increased fiscal irresponsibility.  In the last year, patriots have awoken from slumber, demanding that the government return to its founding tenets.  As individuals, we each bear the weight of allowing our God given rights to dissolve; we neglected to understand the power of the Washington gluttons, how their misplaced and self-serving power affects the fabric of our lives.  I shake my head and think the battle to regain autonomy has been long, yet the fight has just begun in reestablishing sovereignty for the country.  The battles ahead requires vigilance and the courage to speak; the actions we take as patriots sometimes push us outside of our comfort zone, yet the importance of living free is at stake. I commit to continuing to fight through emails, letters, blog posts and protests, although at times each of these actions may be inconvenient.  These words and action do not exist in a void; they manifest themselves in society as awakenings for others who have been in slumber.  Make no mistake, while there may be a lapse of time from the utterances/action to the awakening, the power of truth and words spoken through an honest heart eventually navigates the fog of denial.

Words, phrases and actions have evolved to radical interpretation.  Understand that the word radical does not carry negative meaning in this syntax use of the word.  Rather it describes a clearer view of the essential meaning of words prorogated through political ideologue.  The word “historical” is now viewed through a refined lens; its meaning is understood as being something that has never happened before without an implicit designator the moment is good or bad.  For anything granted the descriptor of historical, can not automatically be considered as having a positive impact a society or its people, rushing to create history does not mean the history is empowering the people or the country.

The phrase “let me be clear,” I have come to understand as the speaker previously was not precise and if this is the case, why did they talk for 10 minutes before clearing any confusion.  Or is the “let me be clear” utterance used as a psychological ploy to offer assurance to the listener that what they are about to say is true.  In either case, the phrase needs to be removed when speaking about important issues, say what you mean and mean what you say the first time.  This is especially true in prepared speeches; speech writers should have a fundamental grasp of the English language, there should be no need to throw a cursory “let me be clear,” unless indeed it is a psychological ploy.

A final thought on words, to “inherit” something means you have now taken over the responsibility of the entity.  To continually point fingers at anyone else means you do not have the fundamental ability to grasp the responsibility that your stewardship of the entity involves.  The time for voting “present” is long past, own the responsibility or advocate the position to someone else.

So dear readers, the previous year has been filled with awakenings and I am sure 2010 will evolve with greater challenges.  Are you ready to face the next year?  Have you thought what you can do to help empower yourself and others toward self-reliance?  What thoughts do you have as we begin a New Year?