the lost man chronicles
45. the gift of empowerment

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." ~ Mahatma Gandhi

It is quite curious that when we give our selves to the world, that those who feel endowed do not offer back, but often ask for more.

If anything, the offerings are meant as inspiration, as an inculcation to live, to create, to motivate the senses and have them achieve satiation on their own.

This should be the goal when you give to anyone—empower them. Those who advocate co-dependence do not understand that only one person can lean upon a crutch. Dependence of such, of almost any kind, is an inherent weakness. And those who rally for such tenuous relationships are usually in it to enrich themselves.

Granted, children naturally depend on their parents (and eventually parents depend on their children), but ultimately the parental role (at least) should be to instill independence. Once again, those who teach otherwise, often act to ensure a future that is to their advantage.

Life for most of us can be quite challenging, thus should we realize our potential to stand alone, to fight for ourselves, to rest and repair on our own when there is no one to otherwise care—then we are prepared to take full advantage of all the wonderful experiences of our limited existence and being.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience,
but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. "
~ The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

And there will be those who will despair and misinterpret these words. Alas, they are not meant to discourage affection, nurturing, good will, charity, and altruistic attention to the basic needs of others—far from. If anything, they enable them.

For the best form of love is free, it is liberating and encouraging of good deeds, and inspires others to take advantage of life's million and one opportunities.

"My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds of people:
those who do the work and those who take the credit.
He told me to try to be in the first group;
there was much less competition."
~ Indira Gandhi




how to and why not .44 previous chronicle the beginning next chronicle 46. easier not to vie


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