Inspirational Thoughts 12/2/2018
by Patricia Feager
FREEDOM OF CHOICE INSPIRES ME
"The more decisions that you are forced to make alone,
the more you are aware of your freedom to choose."
--- Thornton Wilder
"We all know that something is eternal. And it ain’t houses and it ain’t names, and it ain’t earth, and it ain’t even the stars . . . everybody knows in their bones that something is eternal, and that something has to do with human beings. All the greatest people ever lived have been telling us that for five thousand years and yet you’d be surprised how people are always losing hold of it. There’s something way down deep that’s eternal about every human being.”
― Thornton Wilder, Our Town
WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN?
In High School, my Senior Class put on Thornton Wilder's Play, "Our Town." I studied every single word beforehand. In one scene, George and his sister Rebecca were sitting by their window looking outside. To tell the truth, that's exactly what I was doing my entire last year in school. Looking out the windows! Wondering, what's next? I had dreams about joining the Peace Corp and traveling to some exotic place! JFK was my inspiration!!! I wanted to further my education! Get away, as far away from home as possible! Basically, my ultimate dream was to make my own choices and experience freedom! But first I had to graduate and get a job.
The teachers in school, my parents, my husband, even my employer; had other plans. None of them led to my freedom of choice until I left home, my husband passed away, I enrolled in College and Universities spending 20 consecutive years going to school. It wasn't because I couldn't graduate; I was addicted and couldn't stop collecting diplomas. I was determined to be a Role Model to my children. Being employed didn't give me the freedom I thought I would have. Everyone seemed to be on their own island, following the Corporation's policies, procedures, compliance, and regulations. I could only take a vacations once a year, when it was approved by my Employer. The best part was when it ended.
I didn't really know what freedom of choice meant, until I became a self-employed Real Estate Agent and managed my own business. Building relationships over the years has afforded me to have the kind of life I always wanted. Subsequently, I take as many vacations as I can to all the places I want to go. For example, on the day I arrived in Italy, I stood behind the camera, taking this photo looking out my window in Tuscany. I thought a lot about that play, Our Town, and with the wind and the sun on my face, I just knew, Thornton Wilder was right, there's something way down deep that's eternal about every human being. For me, my inspiration comes from my thirst for knowledge and most importantly, freedom of making my own choices, while still running my business without being in a cubical having somebody else's permission.
Patricia
P.S. This is my entry in Carol Williams December Challenge 2018 - What Inspires You?
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