Breaking the mold of being a child is difficult. The mere addition of years does not make that happen. The dependency many adults choose, in fact, keeps them in a child-like mentality. If the doctor makes our health decisions, an accountant our financial ones, a minister our moral ones and a politician is left to decide our rights, how is that different from a child being told what to do by teachers and parents?
Substituting authority figures and shifting dependencies does not equal maturity.
Childhood is necessarily filled with lots of dos and don'ts, rights and wrongs, rewards and punishments. However, children who are well disciplined are not necessarily self-motivated. Tell children not to tattle and perhaps they won't ? for a while. Teach them ethical concepts of confidentiality and loyalty by touching their inner sense of conscience, and tattling is more likely to be removed from the personality. Discipline a child who followed the neighborhood ringleader and threw apples at passing cars, and perhaps, just maybe, he won't throw apples again. By giving him self-confidence he will more likely have the courage to turn from peer pressure. Tell a child not to eat so many French fries and perhaps she won't ? until the next chance when you're not around. Teach her the logic behind the value of natural foods and the damaging effects of food processing and you have given her a life-long road map to better health.
Growing up is about thinking ? reasons, causes, consequences, exercising conscience and the long-range view. Unfortunately, as we distance ourselves from the natural world, in our comfortable homes, air conditioned automobiles, and cushy jobs, we think less and less as we become more and more dependent. We live in a time when virtually every need can be met with barely getting out of a chair. No hunting and gathering today. Nope, refrigerators are full, and if they aren't we can drive to a grocery. If we've incapacitated ourselves enough we can get the nearest handicapped space and use a battery cart so we don't even have to walk to do that. Back home we have every imaginable modern appliance making life "easier." The television set is there handy for more dumbing down and to give us a rest from that grueling trip to the store and fast food stop on the way home.
Our modern world of convenience is a health trap, both mentally and physically. But we clamor for more convenience, more leisure, less responsibility, more entertainment and less work. We need the opposite, more work and activity for our physical health and more control over our lives for our mental health. We're like sheep begging to be led to the slaughter. The less we take care of ourselves, the more we become dependent on others, the more we put ourselves at their mercy. Will our best interests be served by others or ourselves? Does history teach us that when we surrender to others and trust that they will look after us that that turns out to be the case? The rise and fall of nations throughout time scream a resounding no! Will we learn from history or repeat it?
Although it is difficult in modern, interdependent, complex society, think of yourself as a sovereign. Claim your inalienable rights or you have none. Ultimately you are the best steward of your own welfare. By regaining control you move from childhood and make life more interesting, exhilarating and healthy.
Here are some ideas of what I mean:
1. Need a repair or home improvement? Try it yourself. Buy "do-it-yourself" books and ask hardware and lumberyard clerks how to do it.
2. Sew and mend your own clothes.
3. Plant a garden.
4. Cut each other's hair.
5. Clean your own teeth.
6. Home school your children.
7. Represent yourself in court.
8. Write letters to right social wrongs. Express yourself after you are fully informed.
9. Help solve the environmental crises ? plant trees, recycle, reduce, reuse and get active in protecting common areas and resources.
10. Be as healthy, strong, and as smart as you can be. You learn how to do it; don't try to hire somebody else to.
11. Cook (actually, learn more about how to uncook) your own meals.
12. Prepare your pet's food.
13. Study the Constitution (when was the last time you read the contract between your government and you?) and assert your rights.
14. Be your own doctor. Study and explore ways to heal yourself and develop your full health potential.
15. Learn to play an instrument. Try it on your own without lessons. Always look for opportunities to say, "I did it all by myself."
16. Challenge "experts." If they imply you're too dumb to understand ? fire them.
17. Develop your own business ? full or part-time. Make it something you enjoy as much as a hobby. It doesn't have to be a big moneymaker. It simply has to be yours.
18. Or, make your job your own business by doing more than expected. Be creative and always try to improve. Be a leader at work, not a follower.
19. Bike, walk or roller blade to work. Free yourself from the automobile as much as possible. The sunshine, fresh air and exercise pay some health bonuses as well.
20. Write a book or an article. Yes, you. Write about anything of interest, or about which you are capable of researching. How about an autobiography? You're the best expert on that. If you can get it published, fine. If not, do it yourself.
21. Learn a new sport ? but don't take lessons. Watch, read and buy videos. Surprise yourself and others with what you can do on your own.
22. Stop buying. Necessities and some treats once in a while are fine. But 50 pairs of high heels or 40 neckties? Say no to the marketers. Make a stand with your dollars. Support companies of conscience. Use your money in some way to improve our world. You be the benefactor. You take control. Serve others; don't demand that they serve you.
23. Take the attitude that if another flesh and blood person can do it, so can you. It might take you longer and you might not do it as well, but so what?
Get the idea?
Granted, you can't become totally self-sufficient, but every step you make in that direction ? the more you can thumb your nose at "experts" and government dependence ? the more life you will have, the longer you will live it and the healthier you will be. A population busy taking care of itself will value and protect the freedom to do so. A population ignorant, dependent and with their hands out to government invites despotism.
Don't let modern life smother you with its beguiling lure of ease and comfort. Life is hard work if you do it right. The goal of life is not some phantasmagoric end we might imagine (forever elusive, incidentally), but the journey well traveled with you at the helm.
Dr. Wysong is a former veterinary clinician and surgeon, college instructor in human anatomy, physiology and the origin of life, inventor of numerous medical, surgical, nutritional, athletic and fitness products and devices, research director for the present company by his name and founder of the philanthropic Wysong Institute. He is author of The Creation-Evolution Controversy now in its eleventh printing, a new two volume set on philosophy for living entitled Thinking Matters: 1-Living Life... As If Thinking Matters; 2-The Big Questions...As If Thinking Matters, several books on nutrition, prevention and health for people and animals and over 15 years of monthly health newsletters. He may be contacted at Wysong@Wysong.net and a free subscription to his e-Health Letter is available at http://www.wysong.net
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Building Energy Around your Investment!For a century or more men... Read More
Writing a 'life script' is like writing a movie script.... Read More
As every New Year approaches, many of us are doing... Read More
To the world you might be one person, but to... Read More
1. "If you have faith the size of a mustard... Read More
It's been said that knowledge is power. While that's true... Read More
Most of us are prone to anger! As we grow... Read More
"If today were the last of all days........" - Marilyn... Read More
What CHOICE do you want to make?Dictionary* says:the act of... Read More
You've probably heard the phrase, "Idle hands are the devil's... Read More
Are you still hoping and waiting for someone somewhere to... Read More
Anyone who is a leader or member of a group... Read More
What am I made of? Do I have what it... Read More
Perseverance is about as important to achievement as gasoline is... Read More
There are a number of techniques to help you stop... Read More
Do you have a dream? Or do you just have... Read More
How often have we heard ourselves complaining about how unlucky... Read More
Procrastination is a delay tactic that has the ability to... Read More
"M" is for Motivation.What motivates you to do a good... Read More
At 211 degrees, water is pretty darn hot.But at 212,... Read More
Do you have the motivation to succeed in the mortgage... Read More
It's no secret that life is a tricky animal to... Read More
Hey Me! Get Out... Read More
This is a key to lasting motivation and beating procrastination.If... Read More
Imagine for a moment that you are a champion. You... Read More
While I was trying to find a subject to write... Read More
I receive many emails from people that basically ask the... Read More
In other words, it is in the "doing" that we... Read More
We encounter constant changes throughout our life; it could be... Read More
The IDEAL Problem Solver is an effective tool you can... Read More
What are the reasons that YOU procrastinate?Are you a perfectionist?Do... Read More
I can't stress this enough: You've got to motivate yourself... Read More
It's early January as I sit down to research and... Read More
This is my mathematical strategy I use to achieve everything... Read More
"Through perseverance many people win success out of what seemed... Read More
Staying motivated at work is easier than you think when... Read More
A few years ago, I was with 20 of America's... Read More
"Lord give me patience ? and hurry!"Have you ever prayed... Read More
They say that the way to have a positive attitude... Read More
Your ability to perform in life is determined by a... Read More
It's easy to begin a year with analysis: months, days... Read More
I grew up in a very cold climate where winter... Read More
In 2004 a group of seven spoilt and often aggressive... Read More
'You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in... Read More
The motivation to change my oil came the other day... Read More
I want to share with you a powerful principle that... Read More
I can't stress this enough: You've got to motivate yourself... Read More
Procrastination is a delay tactic that has the ability to... Read More
One way to motivate yourself to work hard at anything... Read More
What an absurd statement! Absurd or not, progress is not... Read More
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not... Read More
The cream rises to the top. That means that it... Read More
I stormed out of the office and headed for the... Read More
"What are you waiting for?" said Nelson, looking at me... Read More
One of our most powerful psychological needs is the craving... Read More
Confidence: The word conjures up images of self-assurance and... Read More
I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel less... Read More
We are all guilty of delaying what needs to be... Read More
All of us have a vision of our own possibility.... Read More
1. How do I discover my passion?This is one of... Read More
Most self-help gurus warn us against watching too much TV.... Read More
'When it comes to life the critical thing is whether... Read More
What important goal have you set for yourself? What is... Read More
Question:What is the worst thing you can do when you... Read More
Do you remember that old television program that gave the... Read More
'Tis the season once again for parties, champagne, noisemakers...and of... Read More
Motivation |