July 2nd, 2012
Independence is a great big powerful word. Some people and countries will shun it and other people and countries will die trying to attain it. History books are filled with these quests. But what does it take for us, each of us, to be independent? Does it mean that we stand alone needing no one? Hardly. The moment you were born you became dependent on someone else for food and that really hasn’t changed all that much. Pop a cashew into your mouth or bite into a peach or have a bit of wild rice with your salmon. If no one else on earth was involved, how long would it take you to do that on your own?
Real independence is not just about food. It’s being able to think for yourself. Real independence is making your own decisions and yes, making your own mistakes. Real independence is seeing yourself in the best, most favorable light and saying “Yes, that is exactly who I am!”. Real independence is saying “This is what I believe because it resonates deep in my heart and soul. It may not match anyone else’s beliefs but no one else eats for me or sleeps for me or breathes for me, so if I can do those things on my own, I can think on my own!”
There is no one in the world that is better than you. There is no one else in this world that is in charge of your happiness. There is no one in this world that has the right to yell at you, belittle you or harm you mentally, physically or emotionally nor do you have the right to do it to anyone else. That’s freedom.
Many, many people have been wounded and tortured and killed in their quest for independence. Honor them for they have shown you freedom’s importance. Honor them by throwing off your mental chains and standing tall, free and independent.
There was a time when you were dependent on teachers and parents for your beliefs, truths and decisions but if they did their job properly, that time has passed. Now you can imagine the brightest possible future for yourself and you can find a road that goes there or you can create one yourself.
You are free. You can think and act for yourself. You can make the most of your life. If you want to be happy, you can be happy. You are, by God, independent. Embrace it!
(C) 2012 All Rights Reserved, Patrick McBride
www.PatrickInspires.com
October 3rd, 2011
A few blocks from my house is a street named Legacy and as I stopped at a red light on the corner of Independence and Legacy, I thought to myself “What is to be my legacy and what does it have to do with my independence?” I had always prided myself in my independence. I liked most people but I made sure I didn’t need people. I was proud of that. I had been hurt and frustrated and disillusioned with many people in the past and I choose independence. From that lofty perch I could rise above ever depending on people. As I stared at the red light waiting for the go ahead green, I asked myself “Is my independence my legacy?”
The light turned green and I made a left onto Legacy. As I drove I kept pondering the question. I was raised in a time when independence was the pinnacle of accomplishments. But now I was asking that sacred cow whether it was true or was it all cow patties? The surprising answer was that it was cow patties!! Independence is a farce. I was wearing my independence like some kind of merit badge when, truth be told, it was just an escape from being vulnerable. Independence is overrated and true strength is underrated. I realized then that it takes a lot more strength to deal with other people and to take your chances on being hurt but that’s where the real growth is. You can’t truly help people on a lofty perch because you are usually the only one there. People can’t talk to you, love you, feel your love or ask you for help if you are way up there.
It was more than a drive that day. It was a change in how I saw me. From then on, I told myself, I would focus on my similarities to others and not my differences. I would focus on engaging with others and not being aloof. I would put myself out there and if I got frustrated, I’d get over it but I would live and I would help. And when the time came my legacy would be “Yeah, he was open and he loved and he helped”. Everything else is just cow patties.
(C) 2011 All Rights Reserved, Patrick McBride
www.PatrickInspires.com