Breaking Free

Photo by yngrich

There are those who think that life has nothing left to chance
A host of holy horrors to direct our aimless dance

I’m a big fan of the band Rush.  They have a unique approach to writing music, and they always surprise me with their creativity when a new album comes out (album - I’m dating myself).  One of their songs from the early ’80’s is in the rotation on my iPod: Freewill (not to be confused with the whale movie Free Willy).  If you’re interested, it’s from the album Permanent Waves.

A planet of play things
We dance on the strings
Of powers we cannot perceive
‘The stars aren’t aligned
Or the gods are malign…’
Blame is better to give than receive

Neil Peart is an excellent lyricist as well as being a drummer extraordinaire.  In addition to the music, I like the message of the song.  I’m a strong believer that you make your own luck through preparation, and as a result, I’m always trying to be better prepared.  I don’t believe in fate, voodoo, the evil eye, or bad luck.  Therefor, I don’t knock on wood, rub a rabbit’s foot, or cross my fingers in order not to “jinx” something.  I think people use these excuses to cover up their own shortcomings.  They make bad choices, because they don’t take the time to think them through, then blame fate for their consequences.

There are those who think
That they were dealt a losing hand
The cards were stacked against them
They weren’t born in Lotusland

If.  I hear people bitching all the time, “if I had been born rich”, or “if I had the opportunity to go to a better college”, then everything would be different.  If my aunt had balls, she’d be my uncle.  There is no “if”.  There is only what you have to work with in the present.  There will always be someone with more resources than you;  there are also many more who have less than you.  What you do have are opportunities to change your life for the better.

All preordained
A prisoner in chains
A victim of venomous fate
Kicked in the face
You can’t pray for a place
In heaven’s unearthly estate

Many will pray for riches to come their way.  In my own twisted view of the cosmos, I think that God has bigger things to worry about than your financial success.  If you’re blessed to be born in America, you’re way ahead of most of the world in terms of opportunity.  Count your blessings.  Rather than look skyward for help, take a deeper look inside yourself.  Maybe it’s you who’s holding you back, not fate.

You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that’s clear
I will choose freewill

The song celebrates the empowerment of the individual, and I embrace this philosophy.  Rather than leave my life to chance, I take the bull by the horns.  I’m not one to sit on my ass and complain that the world has been cruel to me.  The world is cruel to everybody.  I’m sure that most of the time, you’ve got it pretty good.  When something bad happens to you, it’s just your turn to suffer a little.  It will make you appreciate the good times even more.

If it’s never our fault, we can’t take responsibility for it. If we can’t take responsibility for it, we’ll always be its victim.
- Richard Bach

So, you’re 20 pounds overweight?  Nobody but you is stuffing junk food into your mouth.  Just eat less.  Deep in credit card debt?  You don’t have to pay with plastic.  Cut the goddamned things up.  Hate your job?  You’re not chained to your desk. Stop bitching and look for a new one.  Unhealthy is a choice, as are broke and miserable.  You have the freedom to change things.  Take responsibility for your actions.  Stop making excuses and do something constructive.

Choose free will.

Or Freewill.

Just not Free Willy.

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