…so new weblog entry.
“So many of us have abdicated our passions for obligations, as if passion is a luxury for the young, and we must all grow up one day. We, even if reluctantly, fall into place to live a life of conformity that we describe as “maturity.” we’ve made acting like an adult synonymous with living apathetic lives.”
“Opportunity and freedom are not the same thing. His freedom to play the full spectrum of music, to passionately express the music within his(speaking of a famous pianist) soul, was only available to him as a result of years and years of discipline. discipline can be confused with conformity. many times we run from discipline or at least resist it because we feel we are being forced to conform in the most negative sence of the word. yet the irony is that when we forsake discipline in our attempt to avoid conformity, we lose our potential to be truly free.”
“Our claim that we are committed to being authentic can actually be a facade for self-indulgence. if we are not careful, authentic can be the new word for arrogance. as long as your’re true to yourself–say what you mean–just get it out–how can anyone fault you in any way? this perspective frees us from any concern for the feelings of others. Authenticity can establish a self-righteousness that justified abuse. is it really ok to do something because you want to, to say something because you feel it?”
“Absolute power does not corrupt; it reveals.”
“The real measure of our power is the freedom and opportunity we create for others. men and women who are marked by integrity point the way to freedom. leaders of integrity don’t simply lead by example, they lead by essence. these leaders call others only to choice the life they have already chosen. they don’t point the way down a certain path, the pave the way where no path exists. They inspire others not only by their words and actions, but by the promise of the kind of people we can become.”
“i reminded him that some people lived in the kinds of conditions where survival was a daily struggle. others, at their best, could barely hope to pay the bills. those who have the privilege of a healthy upbringing and a great education have to embrace more responsibility than simply paying their bills. if it were within his reach to produce great wealth, to create jobs for the unemployed, to provide income so that meals could be put on a table, if he had been entrusted by God with the skills and capacity to improve the quality of life for hundreds, if not thousands, it would be sin for him to do anything less.”
“There is so much talk about potential in our culture, as if it’s the end-all of success. has anyone ever said about you, “he has so much potential?” if you are under 20–lets give you 25-consider it a complement. potential–the hind of greatness not yet developed. Potential–your untapped or unlocked capacity. and then you are 30, and you still have all this potential. pressing 40, and you’re still full of potential. if you are 45 and someone looks at you and says, “you have so much potential”, pause, excuse yourself, step into a closet, and have a good cry.”
Erwin McManus, ”Uprising”
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