I woke up early, listened to the news, checked my e-mails, then Facebook, where I saw a quote from Nathaniel Branden, which read, “Nothing more dangerous than an attitude of passivity.”
The next thing I did was check out Webster on the term Passivity, which stated, “not acting, working or operating, inactive, inert. Submitting or yielding without resistance, or opposition, submissive.” Then I thought, “Aha, that’s it,” that’s what is so disturbing to me listening to the news, then reading, the non compos mentis remarks and quotes of others on Facebook. The pervasive notion of so many, reporting what others say and do, hiding behind a safety net of rote repetition of what others say and do, trying to avoid the self-responsibility for their lives, thoughts and actions by doing nothing, “in-active and inert.”
Fiddling while Rome burns, accepting the notion of powerlessness, as this one great nation of individual freedom and Free-enterprise slithers down the tube of the bondage of Socialism. So many acting as though they are exempt from any responsibility to do anything to halt the onslaught.
Despite the fact I have never met Nathaniel Branden, I’m so happy to have him listed as a friend on Facebook. A prolific writer on the subject of Self-Esteem, and I read all his books back in the sixties and seventies, after reading Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged in the late fifties. A book about individualism versus political government, which profoundly affected me at the time I read it.
Nathaniel Branden was her number one protegé, and his writings reflect his strong position on individualism and self-responsibility. And I for one feel so privileged to be alive today, still enjoying his words of Wisdom, on Facebook.
Truth is that which is and the absence of a lie, and the writings and expressions of Ayn Rand and Nathaniel Branden are as apropos and applicable today as they were 60 years ago. Or 2000 years ago. Universal law relative to that which is Right or wrong, is unchanging.
None of us are entitled to sit idly by and do nothing about the onslaught on personal Freedom, perpetrated by those who lust for power. No one is entitled to enjoy the inactive, inert position, of doing nothing about current happenings, by a position of passivity. Freedom requires “eternal vigilance” and self-responsibility for it. It is non-transferrable to someone else.
I can’t help but wonder what it is within an individual that permits them to do nothing, aside from spending their time repeating what another is saying, doing and reporting. Using their time and energy, in inert nothingness. When one has every Right and Responsibility to act otherwise.
What can I do, one might ask. If you are a parent who sent your child off to be indoctrinated in the socialized tax-supported school system, to be abused by bullying, and all the undesirable actions taking place daily, you could call your neighbor for a cup of coffee, and say let’s discuss what it is we could do about it to change the dynamics of all the horrors taking place, relative to our innocent children. Form your own small group to discuss the things you can do, instead of just accepting the status quo.
Instead of using your time and energy quoting the platitudes of others on social media, assume the responsibility of taking action to change the status quo. In your life and the lives of your children. Not anyone else’s, just yours. You might be surprised at what you as one individual can do, to change things, just by a decision to try.
When I read Nathaniel Branden’s quote on passivity this morning, I had a knee-jerk reaction, recalling some of the battles I waged in the past to change things for my own children. I have other articles posted on my website detailing some of the things I did, for example on immunizations and compulsory attendance laws. In some instances, had the laws changed. Not belonging to any organization, but just one person living in the country, determined to make the changes to benefit my children. And homeschooled in the sixties when it was unacceptable, and faced arrest more than once.
You as an individual, have a lot of untapped power to effect change, but first one must step out of the inaction, inert activity of passivity. Stand up, speak out and do something. And start today.
At the end of each article on my website is my email address. Feel free to write to me, if you need help getting started.
LET FREEDOM RING
JUST ME AC
Email: annecleveland@bellsouth.net
2 Comments
I think you for all the work for Freedom you have done so far in the course of your life.
I also think you for writing all these things down in your blog for posterity. Who knows what someone may stumble across decades from now that will make a difference.
Hi Kent, My eternal gratitude for your very thoughtful and considerate response to this article. It came at a time I had just returned from doctors appointment, and feeling a low point. At a time I really needed a stroke! You will never know how deeply touched I was, at that moment. Perked me up with re-newed resolve to continue efforts in the cause of Freedom.To keep trying to spread the word, about a subject, few seem to have little interest in. Keep up the work you do in the cause for Freedom. Anne Cleveland