Freedom Focused

Freedom Focused seeks to ignite the cultural championing of personal freedom. The freedom I speak of is not freedom from hardship and responsibility—the freedom to do as you please—but the freedom to become all you are capable of becoming as a fully actualized human being. I speak of the freedom to move forward in your life, to conquer your flaws, and to become successful, prosperous, and happy.

Many people view freedom as a means of escaping duty and responsibility—the so-called right to do whatever you want. In truth, you are free to think, say, and do what you want. The trouble is you are not free from the consequences of your choices. Because you cannot control consequences, doing whatever you please may bring short-term pleasure, but often ends in long-term pain, failure, misery, and poverty of all kinds. Everyone has the right to make poor choices. But no one has the power to evade the accompanying negative and painful consequences that inevitably result from so doing.

The Price of Freedom, Part 2: FREEDOM vs. LIBERTY

AMERICA: THE GATEWAY TO PERSONAL LIBERTY

One of the things that makes the United States a great nation is the gift of liberty she so liberally allots to her citizens. The Founders of our Republic, working in concert with regular citizens, purchased this liberty with countless quantities of “blood, toil, tears, and sweat”[1] expended during the Revolutionary War and subsequent conflicts. Liberty has always been precious to American patriots. In the awe-inspiring words of Patrick Henry:

"Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to bepurchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"[2]

The Cause of Freedom Part 1

My country, ’tis of thee,

Sweet land of liberty,

Of thee I sing;

Land where my fathers died,

Land of the pilgrims’ pride,

From ev’ry mountainside

Let freedom ring!

I love my country—the United States of America. It is a great country. In the history of the world, there has never been another country like it. I am proud to be an American.

Over the course of my young life to date, I have had the privilege of living in five different States in all four time zones in the Continental U.S. I have visited 49 of the 50 States in addition to the District of Columbia, the Territory of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Nearly everywhere I traveled in this blessed land of promise, I have been edified by the beauty of her landscapes, the achievements of her architects, builders, and entrepreneurs, and the warmth, character, and goodness of her citizens.

The Age of Authenticism

The world has enough Fiction, 

                                        Facade,
                                           Farce,

                                              Fraud, &

                                                 Facsimile.

The world needs more integrity and truth. It needs more authenticity, and it needs it badly.

Life is real. It is not a dream or mirage. It is not some ethereal hallucination we merely imagine is occurring. It is an authentic experience that is as real as you and I.

It's Not only About You

I Am Responsible.

What does it really mean to be RESPONSIBLE?

Freedom Focused suggests it means two basic things. First, you have both the freedom and the power to choose your own response to any given situation, regardless how you might feel. This means you do not have to be a victim of circumstance; you can choose to rise above it. Second, it means you are accountable to others for the choices you make. This responsibility extends to at least ten different persons, groups, or entities:

Silver Linings to My Marathon Woes

I have run 13 marathons.  Nine of those marathons were actual races.  Eight of those races were Boston Marathon Qualifiers, and in every attempt, I failed to qualify for the elite Boston Race.

In a recent Blog Post, I did my best to identify whatever silver linings (life lessons) I could find in the midst of feeling very disappointed at having failed in my ultimate marathon goal I had been working on since January 2011.  

Last Saturday, in New Braunfels, Texas, I found another silver lining by recording a new personal best for the half-marathon race distance.

The Price of Change

Yes, change is possible! This is the good news. But personal change always comes with a price. Such costs are measured in time, effort, sacrifice, and to an extent, discomfort and pain.

Bookstores, libraries, and the Internet are littered with literature promising dramatic results related to personal change with little or no effort on your part. Salespeople, marketers, and politicians are especially clever and seductive in their marketing ploys:

“Buy our product and you’ll see immediate results!”

          “Purchase our service and your problems will vanish!”

                    “Vote for me and all your dreams will come true!”

Right and Wrong Really Do Exist

“The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.” 

             – Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

The existence of right and wrong is an incontrovertible, but often inconvenient, truth. It is perennially out of style, and countless human beings from all walks of life seek endlessly, but fruitlessly, to escape its penetrating presence in our world and universe. You don’t have to align yourself with a specific philosophy, or belong to a certain religion, to recognize and accede the reality of right and wrong. As mentioned earlier in this chapter, everyone has a conscience, which serves as an existential guide to all who are willing to listen.

A Formula for Authentic Change

How is authentic change accomplished? 

Through five simple—but not easy—steps. 

1. A desire to change that is stronger than the desire not to change.
2. An understanding of the principles upon which change is predicated.
3. The willingness to do whatever is required to realize change.
4. The humility to seek out the help of others whenever and wherever needed throughout the process.
5. The maturity to acknowledge, and the willingness to accept, the gifts of Serendipity along the way.

Self-Action Leadership

The opportunity to live up to your Existential Potential is an invitation to practice self-leadership, and more specifically, SELF-ACTION LEADERSHIP—or as I like to call it, just SAL for short.

SELF-LEADERSHIP: Intentional cognitive and behavioral leadership of self to achieve targeted results.

SELF-ACTION LEADERSHIP: Self-leadership that is morally informed, action-oriented, focused on long-term results, and aimed at a continual rise in the Existential Growth of self and others.

Existential Growth

A CULTURE OF VICTIMIZATION

Think about the last time you heard someone say:

          “This is just who I am,”

                    “I can’t change,”

                              “I was just born this way!”

                                        “I am who I am because of “So-and-so” or “Such-and-such”

                                                  “It’s someone/something else’s fault.

There are many manifestations of victimization based on the choices (conscious or not) to embrace shortsighted desires and inclinations instead of choosing to develop the noble characteristics of which all human beings are capable. Instead of rising up to their true potential and choosing their own way as a member of an advanced species—the human race—victims choose to view their value as being severely limited, even pre-determined.

Don't Forget to Vote!

The Majestic Blue Angels Come to Houston

Over the weekend, Lina, Tucker, and I had the opportunity to attend the Wings Over Houston Air Show featuring the world famous Blue Angels of the United States Navy.  In conjunction with the Thunderbirds of the U.S. Air Force (see picture below), which we saw a few years back in Atlanta, Georgia, I have seen few things in my life that are more impressive and inspiring.  Watching these remarkable fighter pilots maneuver their F-18 Fighter jets with uncanny precision at such high speeds is something truly special.  Such displays of excellence and power made possible by countless hours of study and training make me proud to be an American.