Who We ARe

We are overwhelmed with news that infuriates and upsets us. From a civilian trial for terrorists, to the takeover of our healthcare, to the apologies made by the administration all over the world, we look around and say, "What on Earth is going on?" We see children setting their friends on fire and parents staging balloon shows in order to attract attention.

There is a feeling that we are losing hold of our most fundamental values, morals, way of life, and something deeper - a sense of who we are, of our place in a greater community.

I believe that there is a reason for all of this. Something rather simple, actually, as I think about it. We have diminished the value of the individual. We have relinquished our personal power and uniqueness. We question our own abilities and our intellect. We have passed power on to others, believing that they will make decisions for our benefit even without our consent. We are not proud of ourselves as individuals, and that transfers to our country. We are not proud of it, either.

Without that pride and sense of purpose, our grounding becomes unsettled. Subliminally we feel lost and isolated. This is contrary to the promises of universal [fill in the blank]. We are further apart than we ever have been, certainly in my lifetime.

What might be a remedy for this? That appears obvious as well. Stop believing in the government and start believing in ourselves. Think enough of ourselves to take chances, to work hard, to learn, and yes, to fail. Failure is not horrendous; at least, if we fail, that failure belongs to US. It is SURRENDER that is so terrible--the voluntary relinquishment of our own power.

The focus returns to the INDIVIDUAL rather than the STATE. State power would naturally be reduced, and people's strengths would be given the opportunity to blossom.

The focus returns to the INDIVIDUAL rather than the STATE. State power would naturally be reduced, and people's strengths would be given the opportunity to blossom.