Category: The Liberty Center

Today my world started like any other day with coffee, sports, news, etc.. Then an article I was reading set off a discussion and forced some thoughts and revelations. First, a discussion with my significant other about his thoughts on the what ifs. What if a nuclear bomb, what if a nationwide electrical shortage, what if a cataclysmic event happened, would we survive? What would the survival rate be? Course I was met with the usual “you are crazy” kind of response. But I persisted and then pointed out societal things that could make any one of these a possibility if we do not change our behavior. But can we? And can we in time? So he actually thought, gave me a response, and we had a valid discussion about all kinds of things including our current political environment. He toned down some of my fears while I showed views from multiple vantage points of all situations. A learning process for us both and I see now that there is much to learn from him so I better get cracking.

With that in mind, I thought when I first started my blog, that maybe I could have everyone look at ourselves, and each other, to try to heal ourselves, and each other, before it was too late. I have come to realize that it may already be too late for some. I realized that wheels of destruction, division, hate, misinformation, misunderstanding, and lack of education were put in motion a really long time ago that possibly cannot be stopped. Especially when there is money being made to keep it that way. These wheels can be survived though and it will take some re-learning, different education, different thought process, less convenience, and probably pain we are going to have to be able to endure. Over these past few months I myself have been changing, learning, teaching, rearranging, etc.. Though I have no intention on stopping my blog, you will see some changes coming to my site as I change and as I struggle to find my path. I have spoken to you about many things since I began. Things like: beauty, love, hate, apathy, courage, truth, division, self-satisfaction, personal responsibility, speech, silence, and more. Some of you have added in and given the rest of us great food for thought. And we will need these things, maybe now is just not the time. So I hope you remember them when the time comes. This leads me to my first revelation. That is, my thought process needs to change. Maybe I am not supposed to help fix, instead maybe my healing will begin in an attempt to teach what is needed for when we are completely broken.

My second revelation comes in, when I say my thought process needs to change, I really do not mean in small ways, I mean in leaps and bounds. Take for instance I was told recently that in my past I have jumped to conclusions, believed what I wanted to believe; whether truth or not, and because of this I have been disappointed. When I thought about that statement and my most recent disappointment, and equated my thought process into it, on went the light. See for my entire life I have thought that the harder I worked and the more of my time I was willing to give to a company meant I would be rewarded by upward motion. Only in one instance did that happen, and shockingly it was in a very creative environment. In my last position, like most others, I watched friends of friends continue to advance while I did not only my own job, but part of theirs. Eventually, when people are put in positions they can no longer handle change is made. I finally changed my situation by leaving and beginning on a journey to seek knowledge about myself, my environment, and about company and corporate environments. My change in thought process is not that I should not work hard, as I always have and I will continue to do so, but instead that I cannot fix the structural short comings of corporations. Eventually I know they will fall like a stack of cards, and when they do they will need guidance, knowledge, truth, and many other things to survive, just like the rest of us.

My new journey is to educate myself and maybe you too with the things that I am learning. Things that can and will help us when we finally are broken and past the hate and the divisions. I hope you will still come and see what I have to say and add in if I am in error or you know more on the subject. Be prepared I may possibly, or will, take us back to early times in my passing on of information. For example, one of the things I have been researching as of late, are some of the plants or trees on my property. Maybe I will discuss them and then maybe you will plant and grow your own. I am not sure what I will discuss moving forward, but I hope to merge my quest for knowledge, with my love for teaching and creativity. And I really hope that you will enjoy being part of the journey to come and that it will be beneficial to us all.

I have had many conversations in the past few days about teachers and students, facts, positions of authority with microphones or platforms, emotions, anger, insults, and I could go on further. All of these led me to believe we were all ignorant to some extent. So I was going to do a post on ignorance, which Oxford’s Dictionary defines as “lack of knowledge or information”. But then last night someone said to me “no people are thinking and they need to stop”. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. People were trying to become knowledgeable and were seeking information, that that was not the problem. The problem was finding the truth.

But, what really is the truth?? In the conversations I have been having on a political level, I have learned that some get their facts from the communication level. They get them from people they trust, great orators, people in positions of power and authority, or people with nationwide or worldwide platforms. While others are skipping the communications channels and viewing historical documents, scientific research, and reading legislation. Is either side wrong? Neither side thinks they are. That is why we are so divided. Bringing us together will come when both sides are ready to realize that the truth is, both sides do not match. For example, if the orator says he is for universal health care, but then gives subsidies in his legislation to large private insurance companies – what is the truth? Or if an orator, does just the opposite says he is for free market health care, but then creates a monstrosity like Medicare – what is the truth?  I do not even know how to answer that at this level, I am still searching for it everyday. But, I came to a conclusion that the truth begins with me looking internally and starting at the beginning.

Whether we believe that we were created by evolution, or by a higher power – A God, or both, I think really does not matter, as much as we realize that when we were created we had a balance of good and evil. I believe that the truth and our acceptance of it, lies in that balance between knowing what is right and what is wrong and knowing when we expel them both into the world. Take for instance when we help an elderly person across the road. We intrinsically know that it is not only right, but good, by the way it makes us feel like we have helped humanity is a small sense. Or on the opposite spectrum we yell at the waiter because our food is not cooked properly. We intrinsically know that it is not only wrong, but evil, also by the way it makes us feel at the end of the day. Did the waiter have anything to do with cooking our food? no. Did yelling at the waiter change anything? Did it make you feel good? Probably not. It probably took some time for the anger and disappointment to subside. When we start applying that thought process to our daily lives, I think we will find at minimal our own truth.

Once I started there and could recognize when I was knocking somebody down as opposed to lifting them up, then I could begin to recognize some of the conditioning and intolerance I had been taught, even self-taught. I was about to use the words “trust me”, but really trust yourselves. Instead, I will say in my experience sometimes awareness and recognition are not that easy to see or obtain is a better word. All I know for sure is it all begins with the choice I make to the side of the balance scale I want to go. And there in lies the first real truth. Where do we go from there? I do not know. But, my heart believes that the mass of humanity really just wants to be able to make that same choice for themselves everyday. But, the conditioning and indoctrinating is getting in the way. I will continue to hope that we all individually find a way to burn through that conditioning and indoctrinating to find our basic beginning truths. And that when we do we realize that that is what freedom is, the ability to choose our truth – for is that not what every person wants – to be free?

May we all search for the truth. The ones within ourselves, the ones in our daily lives, and the ones that effect the masses. I will continue my struggle to find it at all levels from now until I guess I depart this world. But one thing I can tell you for sure, is when you visit me here I will always express to you what I believe to be my truth no matter the subject. As I like to be the light in people’s lives and not the darkness, I will also try to make it on the good side of my scale, but I can not make any promises. Feel free to leave your thoughts. But know that someone’s truth may be coming off the evil side of their scale. Please try not to let it bother you, but to recognize it for what it is – their truth at that moment.

 

The comment to my last post and my reply have been weighing heavy on my mind the last few days. As I was sensing anger in the commenter, I replied that I was allowing the comment to go through and then added a but. I mentioned being honest in that reply. So if I am, then my reply was simply in my wanting to possibly tone down the anger. My fear is that anger leads to hatred and hatred gets us nowhere. Hence, my homepage saying I wanted a positive environment for everyone. Even my significant other tells me quite often “you cannot be positive all the time”. No you cannot and I do get angry. But I suppose, I try very very hard to suppress it and release it in a more positive way. So in replying the way I did, I have been questioning myself, was I allowing him to be who he was? I want him to know it was not my intent to even remotely try to stifle that in him-If I did. Because to his point, this is my page and I have power here. I suppose I am trying to find balance as I listen, try to absorb, and change in ways that I need to.

Those thoughts led me to something else he said. That was that discussions needed to be had. I 100% wholeheartedly agree with that, they do. I also believe though hatred and anger need to be toned down as well. But how and where do we begin. I hear constantly people saying “discussions need to take place”, “we need to heal each other”, “we need to love each other”, among other things. Every post I make, I invite you all along and I invite you to have a voice and to participate. Then I wonder why you are not? Do you not have time? Do you not want to be heard? Do you not want to be part of a solution? Do you not like me? or the things I say? Are you afraid? I hope to one day find out the reasoning, as for now I will continue to be as authentic of myself as I can be and continue to ask you to join me. I know you will when you are ready. I am so thankful for the ones that do. They make me more hopeful everyday that there are people ready to be who they are and let their voice be heard – whether they are angry or not.

These last few days I have also thought about a couple of things that I experienced in the last few months. The first, a new person brought into my life. He is from a country that experienced a genocide and survived it. We had many discussions about the why it happened, the how it happened, the who it happened to, the changes that came about from it, as well as, thoughts about this country; its great accomplishments, its triumphs, its biggest disappointments, and failures. I was able to see the perspective of someone not born in my country and I shared my perspective as someone who was born here. There is a lot to learn when we take the time to get to know each other. But knowing each other has to start with authentically being who we are and to not be afraid to share that. Matter of fact, on a humorous note, he asked me if everyone in Texas wore jeans and boots all the time, even in 100 degree heat. Well that lets you know my attire for the entire week we spent learning about each other. I said no, believe it or not, there are women in Texas that actually wear dresses, skirts, flip-flops, high heels, etc. I told him, sadly or not, that I was unfortunately not one of them women. That I thought most people dressed for others and that I preferred to dress for comfort. I told him for the most part I was not afraid to wear my boots with shorts, skirts, dresses, you name it – they are so comfortable. He laughed. I would like to hope I made a friend. But if he was only supposed to be put in my life for a brief moment, then I will cherish the discussions and the things I learned and took away from them.

The other, a project I was asked to take part in. I absolutely did and loved the idea of it in the first place. A great-nephew is on his way to college. Embarking on that journey that takes us from childhood into adulthood. The project involved us writing our thoughts, stories, poems, quotes, words, words of encouragement, memories, etc.. Anything we wanted to write and leave for him. They were all put in a jar and given to him as he graduated from high school. He has read them all and I hope he keeps them forever and takes them out periodically. I find it interesting to see how much we change, have changed, or are changing; I hope he does too. Because I have been away from my family for a long time, although the memories are great, they tend to be few. So I decided to provide things I’ve learned and thoughts of my own journey. One of the things I wrote to him was “Be Who You Are”.  For me and maybe all of us that may constantly change as we learn and experience things. I wanted him to read those words because it took me a long time in life to not only be that, but far more importantly appreciate that. Just as important, there have been people brought into my life at different junctures, that in their own way tried to get those words across to me. I will be forever thankful for them and appreciative of the life lesson learned as I hope he will be also.. I have no doubt that he will.

So I think my thought is that all of the healing needs to start with us individually being who we are, while also allowing each other to also be that. And as I release the weight that has been burdening me the last few days, I make a promise to try to step back and let you all be that, even if that is angry. I will do my best to try to dispel the difference between anger and hatred and ask that when and if you come you leave the latter at the door. I will also continue to bring you who I am and do my best to try to be part of the solution and not the problem. And when you are ready, when you find your voice, those of us here or at least I, will welcome you with open arms and will be excited to get to know you and hear what you have to add to the discussion.. If you just want to keep reading for now, that is okay and I thank you for taking the time to read what I have to say and for your interest in trying to get to know me.. Whether this is the time you add or not, please remember to “Be Who You Are” because no matter what anyone says — that person is wonderful and awesome…..

Something recently reminded me of a conversation I had with one of my sisters last year. We were discussing major problems, as we saw them, in and with the country we choose to live in. She stated to me that she thought mental health was a big issue; I agreed. Not my number one though, I told her. Mental health is a big issue and one I hope to address in a future blog post. But, when I mentioned to her what I thought was high on the list she said oh yeah. So today, I want to discuss something close if not my number one. I want to discuss the huge lack of personal responsibility prevalent in today’s society.

I’ll begin by mentioning a story that I wrote several years ago. I called it The Blame Game. It was an anecdotal tale of the goings on of eleven kids and how at times one or a group of us would do something and let others in the family take the blame, or we would flat-out blame others, or we would be punished for or accept blame for things other family members did. I am sure most of you can relate. I sent this story to a brother of mine to review and provide his thoughts. His first words were “WOW! what a bold topic.” I remember those words as if it was yesterday. It was a bold topic. But, was my story bold? Was I taking on the topic as I should? Was I being thought-provoking? Well, my answer to all those questions was a resounding NO. I still might not take the topic on as I should, but I am going to try to hit the surface at least.

The blame game is something we play, knowingly or not, when we either refuse to, do not want to, or just plain do not…. take personal responsibility for ourselves and the choices we make. I say knowingly or not, as I feel sometimes we do not think about, do not expect, or do not want a consequence that comes about through a choice we made. Maybe we just did not think about all the “what ifs” before we did something. Maybe we just did not take responsibility because we never knew what the outcome was. Did it mean we did not care? or were we just not paying enough attention? I do not know, maybe you do. Still there are other times I feel we know exactly what we are doing and we get the exact reaction we expect. Then we act like we did not know what was going to happen and outright blame someone else. What does that say about us and who we are? Well guess what, all of it is definitely not a game.

I may never know some of the events my choices have brought about. But, as long as, I am willing to take ownership when they present themselves, whether good or bad, then that is how it should be. And if I take the time to think about the “what ifs” and consider all possible outcomes and am willing to accept any consequences, should they arise, for my actions, then that too is as it should be. What should not be, is me taking action in which there are no consequences should things go horribly wrong. The latter is how societal breakdown and chaos ensue.

Personal responsibility begins with me and it should begin with you too. Not only in the small daily little things, but also in the enormous things we are entrusted with. Things, like a nation of laws that we are not only allowed to participate in, but are implored, maybe even required to participate in. Take for example, what happens if I am a bully as a child and there are no consequences for my actions? Chances are I become a bully in my adulthood. What happens if there are still no consequences? What happens if there is a death as a result of my bullying and I am not held accountable? How could any place survive? Or how could I even expect any place to survive if things like that happen? If we do not hold ourselves accountable for our own actions, how can we hold anyone else accountable for theirs?

Maybe it is time to make a change. Maybe it is time we start holding ourselves and each other accountable for our decisions, choices, etc. I am willing to step up and take my good and bad in this ride called life. Are you willing to join me? I’ll leave you with some quotes as food for thought. When your done reading and thinking, I hope you will leave all of us some of your own food for thought. The following quotes are compliments of www.goodreads.com:

“Manliness consists not in bluff, bravado, or loneliness. It consists in daring to do the right thing and facing consequences whether it is in matters social, political, or other. It consists in deeds not words.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make ultimately our own responsibility.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

“We must reject the idea that every time a law is broken, society is guilty rather than the law-breaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his/her actions.” ~ Ronald Reagan

I have been wanting to write a post on the separations I see in society today as they have become so volatile. But, I have struggled to figure out where to start. They say at the beginning is always the best place, so I will start there. Before I do, however, I want to make clear the following are my truths and not necessarily yours. Also, there may be terms some find offensive in today’s day and age. They in no way are meant to be offensive, just terms used in my era and on my journey. Some of you will be happy to know that I am trying to define them and there use in my life, in order to see if changes or redefining needs to be made. I digress, so back to the task at hand.

Whether I knew it or not, I suppose my anatomy was my first separation. Congratulations it’s a girl. In our house, full of kids, growing up we had a boy’s room and a girl’s room. Although I do not think barriers ever stopped anyone in my family. Maybe sadly, maybe not so sadly, either way that is totally a topic for another day.

Kindergarten brought further separations; kids with other skin colors, kids whose families had money, and kids whose families were poor. As our bodies and minds began to change in grammar school, it added into this richness by adding tall, short, pretty, ugly, skinny, & fat into the mix. If all this was not enough, imagine walking into high school loaded with insecurities brought on by all these separations to be further separated into nerds, freaks, jocks, brains, special eds, popular kids, and clowns, just to name a few. College thankfully did not add many. But it did add a huge one; my right to vote – so Democrat or Republican? Nowadays, we have additional choices to add in such as Independents, Libertarians, & Greens.

My adult life brought in the additions of East Coasters, West Coasters, Middle America, Northerners, and Southerners. Because I have chosen to move around a little in my life, I recognize a huge benefit to that in my topic. That which I have gained in all my moving has been perspective. It is the ability, if I choose to use it, to see everyone’s side of the story. Some in my family began to notice this last November at a family gathering. While we were dining, shortly after the presidential election, my normal very talkative self remained silent for a short while as I took in the conversation at hand. I do not know how many recognized this at the same time, but suddenly they all were silent. Several looked at me to add into the conversation by asking “where do you lie in all of this”? My answer “I am in the middle trying to bring everyone to love”.

But, was I really? In the middle I mean. Every day I ask myself that same question. I am still unsure of the answer. But, I do know one thing, I definitely try to view any topic at hand from more than one viewpoint, I try to ask questions to broaden my view, and most importantly, I try to approach the conversations with love or compassion in my heart and not hate. The minute we say I hate in any conversation leads the conversation to a not so good place.

Now I am not saying necessarily that separations are always a bad thing. But, when we lose our ability to be an individual or to think differently or outside of the category or group we ended up in, well not good. And it is just as bad when we cannot see or refuse to see each individual by themselves apart from the category or group they are in. There is no saying or quantifying the amount of what could be learned or experienced if we would only see each other, each individual as we are and rejoice in that.

I always thought I attempted to do that in my life; see each person for who they are, but now I am not so sure. Was it me and/or my insecurities that was putting everyone into categories? Was everyone else doing the same as I was? Did the education system have any part in my thought process? Did they neglect to teach me things? Did they show bias or favoritism to certain categories or groups? As I grew older, what part did the political process play? Did the politicians making me feel afraid or making me promises have any part in me separating people? And well let us not forget the media. What part do they have in keeping me separated or viewing separations? What part do they play in my ignorance and fear? In the end I learned it was some of all of the above. I learned that most everybody had an agenda and sadly most of them were not to my benefit at all.

So my journey begins to bridge the separations. I think every day I am learning to try to do more of that. I am trying to see each individual for who they are, NOT for who anyone else wants me to see they are. In a society so volatile I have learned I have to be the change that I want in it. I cannot rely on my education system to teach me the whole truth. I cannot rely on the media to show me the whole truth. I must do my own research. That is why I have invited you along on my journey, because I can or we can only know your truth from you directly and vise versa. Maybe someday when enough of us want to shake the categories off of ourselves, we can together make an immeasurable impact. What do you think??