Most recently my tagline has been a reminder by George Orwell:
“To see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle.”
It comes from a 1946 essay called “In Front Of Your Nose“. Orwell wasn’t an optimistic sort but that doesn’t make him wrong. Perhaps it has always been so or perhaps these things ebb and flow but recently his observations seem to hit the nail on the head. It’s wise to grok Orwell.
Right now we’re gearing up for a presidential election or, as I like to call it, the season of stupid. To help us as we wade through the BS I’ve updated my tagline:
“If someone succeeds in provoking you, realize that your mind is complicit in the provocation.”
That’s from a Greek fellow by the name of Epictetus (AD 55 – 135). (Hat tip to Ryan Holiday for pointing me to the quote. Read his article at the Observer; The Real Reason We Need to Stop Trying to Protect Everyone’s Feelings.)
That’s good counsel. Remember folks, freedom comes from the inside. It is not granted by either party. It cannot be gifted to you. You become free by acting and thinking as a free man. Many interests will try to distract you. Their game is to nudge you into creating the walls of your own cage. Don’t fall for it.
Good luck.