Time for a rant.
You cannot watch any of the news outlets these days without wondering where everything is headed in the world we inhabit. In 67 years I have never experienced as much negative energy out there beyond my property lines.
It is times like this where I thank the Universe (feel free to substitute God, if you are so inclined) that I can still control the immediate world around me. I can withdraw to Casa Claire. I have just enough resources to protect and provide for the daily needs for the creatures here, human and otherwise.
And the truth is that no matter how powerful or mighty any individual may feel they are, through their natural gifts, those they have achieved through their own sweat and efforts and/or their individual accomplishments, they can and should only assert that power over themselves. I cannot and should not decide on my own to attempt to change any one else’s life. Each one of us is passing through this energy plain on their own individualized journey. Each one of us must take responsibility for ourselves.
I am a live and let live libertarian. I do not care what any individual gets up to in their own home using their own resources as long as they are not imposing their beliefs on innocent humans or creatures who have no say in the matter. But I do not want anyone else imposing their individual or collective will upon me or my loved ones. Luckily my loved ones have exceeded my own power and reach. I am blessed by their legacy. They can handle themselves.
Now, that is not to say that you should not always step up to help others that require and seek assistance and cannot help themselves. Or that you should not always defend and protect the innocent where you can. I consider it a blessing when I can choose to help another and regularly look for those opportunities. I have happily emptied my pockets many times.
Moreover, you should never harm another except in self defense, or in defense of an innocent human and/or creature.
But I will never allow anyone to take what is mine by force or guile. That will always end badly.
No matter what cards the Universe has dealt us we are not victims. Life is not always fair and I have lost far more times than I have won. But I have hung in there. I have never quit. Where there is life, there is hope.
We are responsible for our own actions. For our own choices. For our own efforts. For the outcomes that result therefrom. Each and every day.
So, time to hop off my soapbox. Let’s get at it.
I’ll start by giving those kitties a cuddle, and then visiting those other wonderful creatures on my rounds.
Then deal with whatever the work day brings.
And no matter what else we get up to today, let us make it a great one.
Look after yourselves. We got this.
8 Responses
Absolutely! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 🙌 I couldn’t have said it better myself!
I’m torn by what you say,in that I think everyone is responsible for their own lives, but there are those who can’t handle their own lives. A prior acquaintance, and now very good friend, had a wife leave him, and he turned to the bottle, lost his home, his business and was close to drinking himself to death. I was asked to join a few others who were planning an intervention. It worked very well. We brought him to church with us, and over several months completely changed his life. He is now re-married, has a business that is now helping support him and his new wife, and has changed his life 180 degrees. If someone hadn’t “asserted power over him”, I’m pretty certain that he would now be dead. (I know what that looks like as another friend killed himself by drinking). He is now responsible for his own life, and I don’t interfere in his life decisions anymore, but I feel that if I hadn’t at that time, he wouldn’t be with us now.
Who is messing with my favorite Druid???
Clarence is your favorite kind of Christian, Petey. Completely selfless. You would like him. But I appreciate you having my 6, lol.
Clarence. I specifically addressed the exception you have identified. “Now, that is not to say that you should not always step up to help those others that require and seek assistance and cannot help themselves.” That is obviously what your did with your friend. That should be applauded. That is a Christian act and that you did so is no surprise to me. Well done you. God bless your friend.
I generally agree with the post. However, I feel Clarence’s act was a humane thing to do and not just a Christian thing to do. Being kind, thoughtful, respectful, helpful are not attributes of one religion.
Yvette: I wasn’t limiting it to it being just a Christian thing to do, but was acknowledging that Clarence was doing it as a result of his relationship to his Christian church. My statement in the blog was not directed at any one religion. All roads lead to the same exit. Indeed, most know my beliefs are far more primordial and nature based. My statement to Petey was directed at the commonality of his very strong Catholic/Christian beliefs and the acts by Clarence. No offense meant to any beliefs
Well I agree with your written word. My point is that we all tend to ride the ends of the spectrum when the middle of the road could be our salvation. We should certainly protect ourselves and loved ones (humans, pets, property etc) we should certainly have room in our hearts to help those who are struggling as long as they are willing to help themselves when possible. Pay it forward my friends. Peace Love Respect and Understanding