Nature never said to me: Do not be poor. Still less did she say: Be rich. Her cry to me was always: Be independent. -Nicolas de Chamfort, writer (1741-1794)This quote spoke to me quite loudly. I have always believed in being independent: not following the crowd, not running with the crowd, not influenced by others' opinions of me, not being a "sheep." I think for myself, don't believe everything I hear, and influence others to think for themselves.
Not always easy to do in a society with the internet throwing all kinds of gobbledegook our way. Enter snopes.com which makes it easy too look up the facts (or the fiction) of supposed email claims sent over the internet.
Some people get caught up in gossip, or others telling them what they should do, what "they" believe to be the "story" or the "scoop." Many times gossipers or advice givers have no idea what they're talking about, yet some people believe the made-up information from "them." "They" said this, or "they" said that, or "they" did such and such. Whole stories revolve around misinformation. People may start to believe the misinformation and make up negative consequences for themselves based upon the bad information they've received.
Being independent means reading, learning, making choices that are right for me (or you for you). And through discussion, research, and compromise, making choices that are compatible for us: as a couple, or a group, or a team, or a nation.
Sometimes choices as a couple include doing things...independently. For example, Bob is not big on botanic gardens or caves. I do not mind doing those activities independently. And he goes to football games without me. I am perfectly happy to do something else while he enjoys football.
On a larger scale, independence to me is synonymous with freedom; not being governed by a foreign power. The United States of America celebrates Independence Day, which signifies our freedom from Great Britain many years ago. Our soldiers fight for our American freedoms every day.
In politics an independent is a person who votes for candidates, measures, etc., in accordance with his or her own judgment and without regard to the endorsement of, or the positions taken by, any party.
In mathematics, independent means: (of a quantity or function) not depending upon another for its value. [I love that: "not depending upon another for its value." This could also apply to independence in people, i.e., being self-confident.]
My point to all of this is: Think for yourself. Don't believe everything "they" tell you. If you hear bad things, research multiple sources to find out if what you've "heard" is correct. If you think something isn't going to work for you because of "whatever" reason you've been given, look for alternates. Find another source. The world is huge with lots of choices--too many in fact--to be bogged down thinking you "can't" do something, or "that isn't going to work." Look for other options. Talk to other people who DO know what they're talking about.
Independence is freedom.
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Today, Susan of What's Up with Susan and Company and Colleen of Traveling with the Longdogs came by and picked me up to go for tea/coffee at IHOP. It's the first time I've met Colleen and thought we got along famously. We had a nice chat and I learned quite a bit about Colleen and Dave, local RV parks, COE campgrounds, and San Antonio. I've decided we must make a trip to H-E-B Central Market and SAS Shoe Factory. Thank you Susan and Colleen for a great outing. Let's do it again when we can all have pancakes!
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And now, for something completely independent of the above topics. Here are a couple of action shots of Sunnie playing with ("hunting") the peacock feather...
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| "You've got my undivided attention." |
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| "Bring it!" |
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| "Must kill it." |
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| "The feather is history." |
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| "Victory is mine." |
(It's not easy to photograph a cat playing while you're playing with him.)
Travel Bug out.
I'm glad that we could get together today. I hope that you have a supply of peacock feathers for while you are gone.
ReplyDeleteMultitudes of peacock feathers...on the list.
DeleteI love this post Susan. I think your philosophy is why you getting through this whole ordeal with your broken face. I really enjoyed meeting you too and I'm sure we will get together again; maybe not before Australia but for sure after you get back.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Colleen.
DeleteAnd I would love to get together again when we're back in town.
I am with you, Susan. My independence means everything that is why I can't wait till these elections are over. I am so tired of hearing what I should or shouldn't believe. Let's get on with it...please.
ReplyDeleteLove the Sunnie photos. I never thought of taking photos of Bella while I am playing with her. I am sure that is a challenge.
This is my third try to respond to you. I must be hitting a delete key unknowingly.
DeleteI agree wholeheartedly about the elections. We have politicians prancing and preening; advertising making a mockery of the "other" candidates. Enough already. Research the issues; don't mindlessly listen to paid advertising.
As far as kitty pics, thanks. The action shots were kind of cool. Good thing I have a simple point and shoot digital camera. I don't think I could have done it with a 35 mm.
I,totally agree with your philosophy about "being independent is freedom". I am very independent minded and my husband is comfortable with our differences of opinion and interests. Likewise we share a great many commonalities as well.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that tolerance for differences in the general population is becoming harder to maneuver. Every one wants you to be on their team or endorse their party. I do get tired of people expecting everyone to think as they do.
I, for one, love people that think independently.
Thank you. I love you too. LOL.
DeleteI feel as if you were speaking directly to me... Sometimes when emotions are involved it's far to easy to blindly accept what 'they' are saying. With time and practice one can learn to step back and re-evaluate regardless of the emotion behind it.
ReplyDeleteLive & Learn.
When you know better you do better (One of my favorite Oprah quotes)
Thanks Susan!!
Kristy
madcap328.wordpress.com
Kristy,
ReplyDeleteWow, that's powerful.
The quote in my blog brought on my "Be Independent" blog. Then I got to thinking about the first dentist I went to see about my teeth. I didn't get a warm, fuzzy feeling, so I started to feel defeated. Then I thought, "Wait a minute, I can do something about this!" So I scheduled a consultation with another dentist. So far, all my interactions with the second dentist's office have been top-notch. I went and read their entire website and ended up sobbing, because what they had on their website really connected with my being. I can't wait to go in! I actually have HOPE that something good can happen with my teeth before vacation!
[All of that got me thinking about politics and the current mumbo jumbo going on. And I did think of you too, just to be honest about it.]
Anywho, thanks for commenting. I love your blog. You are so open and honest about your life.
Susan
Loved your thoughts on independence, Susan. Absolutely! Somehow I completely forgot about peacock feathers, I used to have them around all the time for my cats! Jeremy is really missing out and I am going to go find one right away for him. He may be 16 but he can still play. And...I tried responding to your question on my blog about eventually getting real blog posts with real photos. I think your email was set to noreply and I couldn't find an email address here to write to directly. The answer is yes! I am working on it. With more than 4000 photos and 11 days of draft blog posts, it will take some time. Thanks for asking.
ReplyDelete