Growing Up!!!!

January 13, 2018 / doubledacres / 3 Comments

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Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

The year was 1964. We were one out away from winning first place. The count was 2 and 2 with a runner on third, score tied 1 to 1, and the bottom of the ninth, when “bam” the batter hits the ball over second base and our dream of winning the championship is crushed. There were eight teams in our division and only first and second place got trophies. Unlike today not everyone got trophies.

We failed. We tasted failure. Looking back on that time in my life, I remember how we all became closer and how we vowed to work harder. We were hell bent on improving our skills and becoming champions. In 1965 our dream came to fruition.

The greatest glory in living lies not in never failing, but rising every time we fail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have spent a lot of hours through the year thinking about this and I believe in my heart that failure is the reason we became champions. It built character and made us work harder. It didn’t scar us for life or fill us with low self esteem.

We didn’t get participation trophies. We earned them. I think the big difference between now and back then is that the “family unit” was a lot stronger and more endeared. Don’t get me wrong, we were a long way from perfect. I remember fathers that just gave their child hell if they lost. Losing wasn’t an option. These are the actions that were detrimental to childhood development. It wasn’t the losing that caused the problems, it was bad parenting. Parents that wouldn’t take the time to teach their children that it wasn’t wrong to lose. That it happened. It was an integral part of life whether we wanted it or not.

At the end of the day, you are solely responsible for your success and your failure. And the sooner you realize that, you accept that, and integrate that into your work ethic, you will start being successful. As long as you blame others for the reason you aren’t where you want to be, you will always be a failure.” – Erin Cummings

Maybe I am just an antiquated, set in his ways, old man but I truly believe it is time to go back to the “olden days” and teach children what failure is and how to use it in their favor. No, everybody doesn’t get a trophy for participating, you have to earn it.

Then we need to teach them the importance of taking responsibility for their actions. That they are in charge of writing their “Book of Life” and they decide what is going in it. Teach them that “failure” can actually be a good thing. We also have to teach them how to cope with failure and how to use it to their advantage.

Thank you so much for reading my blog. I appreciate you taking the time. I hope you enjoyed it. Spread the love.

What Is “Life”?

January 7, 2018January 7, 2018 / doubledacres / 7 Comments

“Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer.” – Joseph Campbell

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I have been MIA because of that nasty viral infection that is make its rounds. It is some nice stuff, let me tell you. I am behind on reading the blogs that I follow and have a lot of catching up to do.

My combat with the infection took me to the doctor’s office. While sitting in the waiting room I looked around the room at all those that had ventured in to seek medical help. There were around 11 waiting and ranged in age from 27 to 80. There were only 4 males including myself. I watched as they sat there patiently waiting for their turn. As I watched my mind began to ask, I wonder what life means to them?

Is life just existing to them or is it so dear to them they have a fear of dying? Is it exciting and always in party mode or do they prefer sitting in a chair reading a great book and sipping on hot tea? Life is what YOU make it.

Life can be so strong and virile one day and it is so fragile the next. We think we are on top of the “world of life” one day and wake up to find ourselves in the abyss of life gone wrong. Life is full of highs and lows and your quality of life depends on how you manage those highs and lows.

“Whatever we are, whatever we make of ourselves, is all we will ever have – and that, in its profound simplicity, is the meaning of life.” – Phillip Appleman

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When one is at their low point in life they, as I see it any way, only have two choices. Put on your big boy/girl undies and take life by the horn and make some positive changes in their life or lie there and wallow in self pity and rely on the enablers in your life to help you along.

“We get to CHOOSE the meaning of our lives. Our lives mean exactly what we say they do – no more, no less. Each of us chooses their path in life.” – Johnathan Lockwood Huie

Life is simply what YOU decide it is going to be. YOU write the definition. People, experiences and God can help you along the way but You have the final decision. Prepare yourself through education, understanding and knowledge. If you don’t love yourself then learn how to. Parents listen to your children, just because you wanted to be a great athlete, accountant, doctor, lawyer, etc., it doesn’t mean that it will be a good fit for them. Let them make that decision. What’s that you say? You aren’t going to let them make a bad decision. Yeah, right just like you never did, right? Encourage them to be their own person and to write their own “Book of Life.”

Once again thank you for taking the time out of your day to read my blog. It as well as any comments, is deeply appreciated. Now go spread the love.

2018 Is Knocking On the Door!

December 26, 2017December 26, 2017 / doubledacres / 5 Comments

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“Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.” – Helen Keller

I don’t know about the rest of you but I don’t know if it is because I am getting older or just busier, but this year reminded me of Secretariat coming down the home stretch at Belmont in 1973. I didn’t get accomplished what I wanted to. That tells me I need to improve my planning for 2018.

To me it is a little ironic that the end of the year and the celebration of the birth of Christ both happen in the month of December. The Beginning and the End so to speak. With the celebration of Christmas comes bouts of depression for some. It is a tough time for those who have lost loved ones, especially those who are celebrating Christmas for the first time after their loved one has passed. Unfortunately it is the time of year when companies trim their work force getting ready for the year to come, adding stress to the lives of those that lost their jobs.

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

This is the time of year one needs to go to their safe place and reflect on the year and evaluate what happened in 2017. Are you disappointed? Happy? Ecstatic? Was last year a good year but if not, what can you do to make 2018 better? Now the operative word here is “you”, I didn’t say “we”. What’s that? You are married. Congratulations! Sorry the operative is still “you”. When you get “you” worked out, then you can sit down with the spouse and finish your planning.

I am going to go out on a limb here and I am going to bet that one of the things you need to change going in to 2018 is (drum roll please) spend more quality time with family. I went into a restaurant a couple of weeks ago and there were what appeared to be 4 members of a family. My guess was father, mother, daughter and son. Youngest (son) was probably 15. Every one of them were doing something with their phone and maybe, just maybe said 15 words. Do yourself a favor and make 2018, the year of the Family.

This is going to probably put some of your undies in a wad. I am sorry but it needs to be said. If you are one of the many complaining about the current political climate and you DID NOT exercise your explicit right to vote, then shut up! I don’t care if you don’t agree with me or even if I am not politically correct, you don’t have the right to complain, in my opinion anyway. Yes it is my opinion and isn’t supported by any law, local, state or federal. Sad thing though is that these people are the ones that complain the most. (Note: This pertains only to the U.S. because I do realize exercising that right in some countries could get one killed.)

“The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals.” – Melody Beattie

The new year can bring us new challenges so in that chapter of life we will be writing about things that we have never experienced before. Make sure your book of life is an autobiography. Do your own writing and decision making. It doesn’t hurt to seek advice but for life decisions, you make them. After all you are the one that is going to have to live with that decision.

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Work on knowing all your neighbors. Learn their names and even talk to them. I know that is asking a lot for some, but think about it. Spread the love. I don’t care what your passion is share that love with everyone around you. Respect those around you. When other people talk, shut up and listen. Respect their opinion whether you agree with or not. I myself have said more than once, “We are just going to have to agree to disagree.” Learn to walk away when a discussion goes south. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Keep your life free of negativity. Last but not least, love yourself.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I hope you enjoyed it. Spread the love! NOTE: I do not have a degree in psychology and am not a psychologist. Just an old geezer that has watched and learned as I traveled down the freeway of life.

Is Today’s Youth In Trouble?

December 19, 2017December 19, 2017 / doubledacres / 7 Comments

“If we lose love and self respect for each other, this is how we finally die.” – Maya Angelou

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I have fought with myself about tonight’s subject. I have debated whether or not it is worth writing about because of the fallout it could cause. I realize I could lose followers and ruffle a few feathers but I guess I like living on the edge because I am going to do it because I feel it really needs to be said.

First I would like to make it perfectly clear that the purpose of this blog is not to “bash” anyone. It is merely observations I have made and just my opinion. I do not have a degree in psychology and am only speaking of what I have learned in 63 years. I do not wish to offend anyone, it is merely meant to be thought provoking.

“Concern yourself more with accepting responsibility than with assigning blame. Let the possibilities inspire you more than the obstacles discourage you.” – Ralph Marsten

If I hear one more time, “what is wrong with kids these days?”, I am going to scream. I ask you who is responsible for seeing that children are reared properly? Gee, could it be the parents? However it is easier to blame the children and shirk the responsibility of child rearing.

I don’t know how many times I have heard parents from my generation say, “I just wanted them to have it better than me.” Really? I really don’t think we turned out that bad. After all, we got told no, endured spankings at home and at school, only got a trophy if we won, and lived with second hand smoke. Didn’t have car seats and rode in the back of a pickup. We were taught and expected to respect our elders. The real setback was all those violent cartoons we watched and worked to earn money. Damn I guess we really did have it rough. The difference between then and now was that we couldn’t wait to get out of the house and now they don’t want to leave.

“Respect for ourselves guides our morals, respect for others guides our manners.” – Laurence Sterne

Boys wear there pants below the crack of their arse and girls dress like hookers. Why is that? Could it be that they have no manners because no one ever took the time to teach them respect? If one doesn’t respect themselves then how in the world can they respect others. If they don’t respect your property, why would you ever think they would respect other people’s property?

One of the problems in the world today is that the parents and grandparents want to be their child’s friend. They cater to them and shun confrontations. No one wants to be the “bad guy”. You know, that person who is trying to prepare the child for the real world. Not the one where everything revolves around the child. When are you going to realize that you aren’t doing them any favors by catering to them. Making them think that they can do anything they want and that the rest of the world will be right there waiting on them hand and foot so that they don’t have to endure any bad experiences. You do so that must be the real world, so they think. You are sheltering them in a world that only exists because you have created it. They didn’t create it, you did. Do the math. You are the reason.

“That you may retain your self-respect, it is better to displease the people by doing what you know is right, than to temporarily please them by doing what you know is wrong.” – William J.H. Boetcker

Folks it is time to quit blaming all the behavioral problems of our children on them and share a lot of that blame. Maybe sit back and rethink the way you are rearing your child. I certainly hope I didn’t offend anyone but I seem to see more and more bad behavior every day.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. It is deeply appreciated. Remember to spread the love.

Why…..?

December 14, 2017December 14, 2017 / doubledacres / 5 Comments

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“The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.” – Abraham Lincoln

For those of you who don’t know me, I am a farrier by trade and sometimes there can be considerable distance from our jobs so we incur a lot of windshield time. This was one of those days for me today. The word of the day seemed to be “why” because it kept popping up in my mind.

Why do people find it necessary to hurt someone because they don’t agree with someone’s point of view? Just recently a young lady, who’s blog I follow, had some hurtful replies to one particular blog she published. I am sorry but I find that intolerable. There are ways of saying you disagree without having to be hateful. If you are one of those people that hurt people intentionally, please tell me what is gained by doing it. Enlighten me.

Why do you always have to be right? News flash folks, it is not the end of the world if you are wrong and the individual that has the fortitude to admit it my hat is off to them. That tells me that you have class and must be an aspiring individual.

Why does there necessarily have to be a “right” or a “wrong”? Why can’t we just agree to disagree? Everyone has their reasons for believing the way they do. Right now I see this going on in the world of politics at the moment in this country on national, state and local levels of government. You think POTUS is an idiot and doing a terrible job. You think the POTUS is doing a great job and pleased with his/her performance. Neither one of you are right or wrong. All you have is an opinion of the POTUS formed by different reasons. opinion : a view or judgement about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge. So please, both of you just agree to disagree and move on.

“When you have the right, doesn’t mean you are right.”– Farrah Ezzatie

Why can’t we just compromise? What is so wrong with compromising? compromise : accept standards that are lower than is desirable First off I want to make something perfectly clear, I am NOT a democrat or republican. I loathe the party system that we have in this country. I look at the individuals in the race and form an opinion as to who I feel is the best person for the job and that is how I vote. I digress, sorry. Ok the present POTUS, governor, senator, etc. does not meet your standards why can’t you just compromise and in 2 or 4 years vote their arses out of office instead of calling all those that supported them (and heaven forbid didn’t agree with your opinion) stupid, racist, deplorable etc.. What makes you so right or them so wrong? The name calling and constant attacks on those you do not agree with does no good for anyone. It just creates a bigger divide in this country. It is not Russia, Isis, or North Korea we have to fear. No. Our biggest fear is ourselves. We are our own worst enemy.

“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” – Abraham Lincoln

Once again I thank you for taking the time to read my post. This is one I really avoided writing about but I felt I just needed to say it. Will it change things? Very doubtful. Spread the love.

“It has been profoundly said, and how true it is, that the only thing necessary for evil to exist is for good people to remain silent.” – Edmund Burke

We Say “Merry Christmas”

December 12, 2017December 12, 2017 / doubledacres / 4 Comments

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“Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values.” – Thomas S. Monson

It seems that it is not politically correct to say Merry Christmas and Christmas tree. To be politically correct it is suggested that one would say Happy Holiday and Holiday tree. Really? Excuse me but just how long have we been saying Merry Christmas and decorating a Christmas tree?

What has happened in this country? Why are we breaking tradition all of a sudden? Supposedly it is so we don’t hurt anyone’s feelings that believes differently than we do. Now the purpose of my blog isn’t to bash those folks that say they get offended. It is a blog to explain why I say Merry Christmas.

First I would like to point out that Christians and Jews have been living in the U.S. together for many years. I have had many Jewish friends and I don’t remember any of them being offended when I wished them a Merry Christmas. Maybe they were and didn’t say anything but I hope not.

You see when I wish you a Merry Christmas it is a greeting of joy, peace and love. It is in reference to the day that God sent His Son to be born on earth and start a life where He healed the sick, made the blind see and performed many other miracles. It all ended when my Savior was hung on a cross made of wood and He died for my sins. That is why I say Merry Christmas. It is not to insult you or to hurt your feelings. It is simply my wanting to share with you the joy and celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” – Calvin Coolidge

With that said I would like to say Merry Christmas! A big thank you to all my followers. You have no idea how much you are appreciated. I wish you all a prosperous new year filled with joy, love and success.

Your(Self)- Esteem

December 10, 2017 / doubledacres / 9 Comments

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Wikipedia tells us that self-esteem reflects a person’s overall subjective emotional evaluation of his or her own worth. It is a judgement of oneself as well as an attitude toward the self.

I believe in today’s society we place to much emphasis on the opinions of other people. I like this quote by Emerson, “It is easy to live for others, everybody does. I call on you to live for yourself.”

There was a time when I worried about what people thought of me. I would find myself living totally out of my character in hopes that people would like me. This went on for some time until one day I realized what a fake I was and how unhappy I was, pretending to be someone I wasn’t. Let’s face it, when you are a red neck, country, hillbilly you can only hide it so long. I mean you are what you are and you can’t live a lie just to prop up your self-esteem because it won’t last long.

I remember when I was six my dad took me to the barber and had my head practically shaved. Now this wouldn’t have been so bad for some folks, however I have this curse that hangs over me. Large, protruding ears. Now take away the hair and ………OMG all the kids called me “Dumbo” the elephant. This fiasco did absolutely nothing for my self-esteem. It was tough but I pulled through and life went on.

“Why should we worry about what others think of us, do we have more confidence in their opinions than we do our own?” – Brigham Young

As I have matured, during my stroll through life, I have learned to appreciate who I am and what I have accomplished. When ever I see someone belittled or bullied it infuriates me to no end. I immediately go into “salvage” mode and a lot of times I don’t even wait until the offender leaves Dodge. I can remember being put down in front of a crowd and everyone just staring where if just one person would have walked up to me and said “that is not true” then gave me a big hug, my confidence level would have never crashed. Now I am not saying that no one is deserving of a arse chewing. If I screw up then I have earned everything I get.

What I hate to see is someone that is trying to improve and all they hear is, “you are so stupid”, “you need to just give up”, etc.. What happened to constructive criticism? We as a society need to develop a bigger heart and the art of kindness. Unless you are some kind of egotistical maniac, there are going to be times that you question your own self-esteem.

“Social media websites are no longer performing an envisaged function of creating a positive communication link among friends, family and professionals. It is a veritable battleground, where insults fly from the human quiver, damaging lives, destroying self-esteem and a person’s sense of self-worth.” – Anthony Carmona

I think the above quote pretty much sums up how I feel about today’s social media. People just don’t seem to care about one another’s feelings.

In closing I want to thank everyone that took the time to read my blog. Remember to share the love.

The Man Behind the Blog

December 3, 2017 / doubledacres / 3 Comments

If people could be as loyal as a dog.

I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours.” – Henry David Thoreau

I am a simple man who doesn’t relish material things. I have a problem with most technology because I feel it is the “Achilles Heel” of today’s society. We have become to dependent on it and if it ever fails we will find ourselves in a world of chaos and ruin. Maybe I am old school but I just don’t see today’s networks that make this modern technology work as it does, being infallible. Just ask yourself, what would happen if a virus was able to penetrate our financial systems and erase all the data? Could we survive a hit like that? I know what you are sayin, we have safe guards for that. Yeah right. Tell that to the folks that had problems with their tax returns being stolen.

“The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I don’t take friendship lightly. I have a tough time trusting people, but then there are plenty of reasons for that. Trust is the foundation of a true friendship. Now I am not talking a casual friendship, I am talking a friendship where you bare your soul to that person. A lot of things just don’t mean to people what it did 30 years ago. Friendship is one of those things that I think has lost its true meaning.

I don’t believe in the “everyone gets a trophy” way of life. I think we do our children an injustice by not letting them experience defeat and disappointment.. We are just delaying the inevitable. One will never win every battle they encounter. Such is life so let us prepare them early in life.

Right, wrong or indifferent I believe an individual is responsible for their own fate/destiny. Yes, some people are born with a silver spoon in their mouth but that person can fail himself/herself just as easy as the person who was born into poverty. If destiny decided my life I guess I could say my life came with a guarantee. Guaranteed to crash and burn or succeed no matter what I do because destiny has all ready decided that for me.

“Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” – John Muir

I am not a religious person, I am a spiritual person. I love and respect Mother Earth. I have always been drawn to nature and when I am in the woods or on the river I am home where I belong. There is no better place to go to cleanse your soul and recharge your spirit. Photography is my passion. Horseback riding is another favorite of mine. I dislike the way we teach young girls to judge their beauty by what is on the outside and not by what is on the inside. I would rather be in the wilderness of Montana than on a beach in the Caribbean. If I could have lunch with anyone I wanted, it would be my Grandma Bobbi. Damn I miss her. I would like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony. I would to spend a day with Thoreau and Emerson. I want my own cabin and Walden Pond. If I could do one thing to change the world, it would be to put love in everyone’s heart because that would resolve all the other problems. “Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us, and the greatest was love.” – Alan Jackson (Where Were You)

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Now you know a little more about the man that writes the blogs. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and I hope you enjoyed it. Don’t forget to spread the love.

Emerson, Politics and Myself

November 26, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

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I call it “The Rock of David”.

“The teaching of politics is that the Government, which was set for protection and comfort of all good citizens, becomes the principal obstruction and nuisance with which we have to contend… The cheat and bully and malefactor we meet everywhere is the Government.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson writes in his essay on politics that an ideal government, advocated for the growth of the individual and would be able to protect one’s individual rights. Once an individual became completely independent and self-reliant they would be ready for democracy and the government could be abolished. The richest asset one could have is the mind and the intelligence needed from each individual would triumph over politics and business interests. He also valued personal rights over property rights.

He tells us that “The law is only a memorandum.” and his most popular quote was “The less government we have the better.” Emerson had complete faith in the individual but he does a turn about on his views toward nations. He goes as far to write, “Every actual state is corrupt.” Political parties are “made out of necessity” out of the time period and not of any underlying theory. He was not satisfied with either party at the time and hinted to the natural inequality the system adhered to and its effects. Even back then he didn’t trust the pulpit and the press. This is from Essays: Second Series published in 1844.

Now fast forward to 2017 and hold on to your arse. Less government is certainly out of the question and there is very little trust for the press and the pulpit. Our government has become enormous. The thing that fascinates me is that we Americans put our trust in a group of people who steal from us (i.e. Social Security) and unless you have a rather large sum of money to invest in a campaign you aren’t going to get elected. The majority of most of these elections are won by the person who had the most money to spend. No, I didn’t say always I said most. The average John Q Public has no way to be successful in a bid for a US Senate seat or House of Representatives. The qualifications are easy enough.

Senate: 1) at least 30 years old 2) a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years at the time of election to the Senate 3) a resident of the state one is elected to represent in the Senate.

House of Representatives: 1) be at least 25 years old 2) have been a resident of the United States for the last 7 years 3) be (at the time of the election) an inhabitant of the state they represent.

Wow! We trust these people to do what is best for us? Not even a high school diploma or GED required. The real kicker, why would someone spend a million dollars to procure a job that pays one hundred seventy four thousand to two hundred thousand dollars a year?

I see the bad moon arising, I see trouble on the way………

“Every actual State is corrupt. Good men must not obey the laws too well.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I don’t know what the future holds but I personally think trouble is on its way. We are a country that instead of taking a problem head on we just pass another useless law. Representatives that make promises and never follow through. Both parties promise the moon and deliver nothing. Both sides still refuse to acknowledge why the election of 2016 went the way it did. Fact is that Americans are fed up with the whole mess and demonstrated that in the voting booth and democrats and republicans still refuse to acknowledge it.

In my heart I truly believe the framers of the constitution tried their best to protect us from the greed of politicians. Greed however is hard for humans to overcome and very hard to defeat. The corruption within our government and political system iseventually going to be the death of a once great nation. It is been there a long time but it seems the new politicians are bolder than those before them or maybe they aren’t as smart as their predecessors, because they aren’t doing a very good job of hiding it.

I hope Americans remain awake and keep sending a message to politicians that we have had enough. They work for and represent us and it is time we quit keeping them in office when they don’t have our best interests in mind. Ok I will shut up now. I know I am beating a dead horse.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I really don’t like to write about this particular subject however I just needed to get it off my chest. I am tired of seeing my friends and family arguing over a bunch of thugs, yeah I called them thugs, that don’t give a rat’s patootie about them. Be sure to spread the love.

My Take on Self-reliance

November 21, 2017 / doubledacres / 5 Comments

Just me and my dog Kate

“It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Merriam-Webster defines self-reliance as reliance on one’s own efforts and abilities.

When I hear “self-reliance I think of the early pioneers and the hardships they had to endure. They were pretty much able to take care of themselves. They raised and hunted their own food, played doctor, teacher and were carpenters. They had to be that way in order to survive.

In today’s world self- reliance seems to have left the building. Sad part is that children of today aren’t being given a chance to be self-reliant. The parents just don’t want to take the time out of their busy schedule to teach them. Grandparents have it in their minds that they have to do everything for them, be their best friend and by all means don’t hurt their feelings. Both sides argue that the child isn’t responsible enough but at the same time they aren’t teaching the child responsibility. All of this is done with good intentions however, the child is the one who is losing and will have no ideal how to do things for themselves. They grow up expecting people to do everything for them and . When I look into my crystal ball I don’t see a very good future for them.

Then we have the government using public assistance to enslave John Q Public. Why? They don’t want us to even entertain the idea of self-reliance. Keep us from attaining it and we hand them the control that gives them the upper hand if they need it. Ok, settle down. Quit laughing so hard. Maybe I am getting senile but it is happening more and more as folks lose their jobs. Public Assistance, the New Form of Self-Reliance! by your Congressional Representatives.

We interrupt this program for a message from the turkey above, Please eat more possum. My friends and family will appreciate it.

“Over the years, Americans in particular have been all too willing to squander their hard-earned independence and freedom for the illusion of feeling safe under someone else’s authority. The concept of self-sufficiency has been undermined in value over a scant few generations. The vast majority of the population seems to look down their noses upon self-reliance as some quaint dusty relic, entertained only by the hyperparanoid or those hopelessly incapable of fitting into mainstream society.” – Cody Lundin

I don’t think folks put enough emphasis on self-reliance. Anyone who lived during the “Great Depression” can tell you how important it is. Nobody seems to understand it can happen again and seem to be complacent with the government taking care of them. My way of thinking is I would rather be in control of my outcome in that situation and trust no one else with my surviving. Just look how they take care of our veterans. Still feel warm and fuzzy inside thinking of them taking care of you when the SHTF?

Self-reliance also involves one thinking for themselves and not letting anyone else or the government tell you how to think. It also necessitates for one to be prepared for whatever comes at them.

“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.” – Abraham Lincoln (Parents and grandparents should have this one taped to their mirror so they read it every morning before they start their day. Just saying, if the child is capable of doing it then why are you?)

“If you truly want to be respected by people you love, you must prove to them that you can survive without them.” – Michael Bassey Johnson

Once again, thank you for taking the time to read my blog. It means a lot to me and you and your time are deeply appreciated. I take this time to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving and good times with family. As you go through the holidays don’t forget to spread the love.