We've all heard the old adage of 'some people make things happen, some people watch things happen and other people don't know anything happened. You need to become the one making something happen. You need to get ready for the new America. The one you and I aren't going to like. The one our forefathers knew would come one day. Thomas Jefferson said, "A departure from principle in one instance becomes a precedent for a second; that second for a third; and so on, till the bulk of the society is reduced to mere automatons of misery, to have no sensibilities left but for sin and suffering". That my friends is where America finds itself today. Everyone for themselves and few remain concerned about the masses. And it happened just like Jefferson said, one principle at a time and now, we don't recognize the place.
What Jefferson wrote has happened. We cannot change that which we do not acknowledge. Right now America is racing at top speed, like Thelma and Louise heading for the cliff, socialism awaits us at the bottom of the canyon. When the dust settles after the crash our great country will be but rewritten history for a new, Godless world order.
I get messages all the time that say 'Ed, I'm optimistic about the future of America'. I respond to them that optimism is good but realism is better. The late Admiral James Stockdale observed the difference of attitudes while a prisoner of war in Hanoi for six and a half years during the Vietnam War. He was well educated, held a Masters in Philosophy from Stanford, was a follower of Epictetus and a practicing stoic. He was an incredible man facing circumstances few in all of time have endured.
He not only endured his circumstances, he learned from them. One of his observations which came to be known as the Stockdale Paradox, was that there were three attitudes in prison. One was the optimist, two was the pessimist and three was the realist.
He observed that pessimists died first. They were sure from day one that the circumstances were going to kill them and there was no way out.
He observed that optimists died second. They were sure they'd be rescued in a couple months, tops. Our government would never leave them. When that imaginary time came and they weren't rescued the light in their eyes dimmed a little. They set another imaginary rescue date and with each passing milestone their will to live became less until they died, second.
He observed those who survived were the realists. They were the men who stared their incredibly bad circumstance in the eye. They were the ones who knew, if they stuck together they would one day endure and be free. They came home because they weren't pessimistic and negative, knowing in their minds it was over. They came home because they weren't optimistic and positive, knowing they could imagine their way out of Hanoi. They came home because they were realistic, accepted their circumstances and worked together to overcome the impossible.
As Americans living today we must do the same. We must be realistic about where we are as a people and a country, and realize we'd best get ready for what's coming. That's what we'll work on together in the days ahead.
For a better tomorrow - get ready today.
2 comments:
I know what you really mean here, but when you say "accept it", it sounds like capitulation. I don't feel it is ever correct or acceptable to give in to evil. That would would be going over to the dark side. I think this evil that has finally manifested itself in the land should be opposed at all timers with all our might, mind, and strength, or we won't get much help from the Lord. I, too, know the final outcome, but resistance in every way but violence will delay those times of tribulation to give us more time to gather in our family and friends that will listen.
I agree Brian. My focus is preparing people to deal with what is coming. I am not that optimistic about changing it at this point.
Post a Comment