Step Up

by Richard A. Cheatham, Press Media Group, LLC

This past Saturday I went to a memorial service in North Carolina for Harry Browne whose work in promoting ideas of liberty I’ve always very much admired. I learned that Harry, who had achieved an enormous amount in his productive live, and who had yet a great deal more work still within him, had presumed that he would live into his eighties. His parents lived into their eighties and he sorta figured he’d get eighty or more too. He was seventy-three when he died on March 1, 2006 of Lou Gehrig’s disease.

None of us know when that last day will be for us. After hearing so many people talk about Harry’s work and his many contributions, I felt more than ever the need to “step up.” What I mean by that is that there’s certainly a time when we follow when we’re young. One has to learn and know something before one can lead. But there comes a time for all of us when we too must take up the torch ourselves and lead.

Now, “leading” means different things to different people. Harry Browne’s particular talent was leading people to consider the nature of human liberty. You may not define liberty the way I do or the way Harry did. You may not even think something called liberty is in any particular jeopardy. Fine! You must, however, think something is worth your time, consideration and action!

One thing no one can do to you without your participation is to define your values, the things that are most important to you. However you acquired them, you have values.

The value of a life as it’s being tallied by those left behind is of some importance. But far more important is your own evaluation of your life. No matter who you are or within what situations you live and act, your toughest and most unforgiving master is you.

That master can’t, in the end, be fooled or tricked. That master knows deep down if you’re living by your values or not. That master knows and judges, very severely. That master even has ways to punish you for not being the you that you know you need to be.

The purpose of this article is not to persuade you to do as I do or to believe as I do. It’s only intended to encourage you to wake up and live as the person that only you can know you need to be. Do this in your own way. But do it! You ain’t gonna last forever! Sorry!

There really is a relay race going on. Think of the people in your particular lane who’ve run their lap before you. There comes a time when with their last gasp they extend their arm out with the baton. Take it! And get a move on. It’s your turn!

©2006 by Richard A. Cheatham. All rights reserved. Mr.Cheatham is a professional speaker/writer and is syndicated through Press Media Group, LLC. Contact him through, Living History Assoc., Ltd., at www.LHALtd.com or DrawBackVeil@aol.com.