Patterns for Success

Growing up in "The Cause" obviously affected my life greatly. I have been able to observe for over 30 years the impact of the financial and political state of America and the continuing erosion that affects our lives daily. I find myself asking, "How do we expect to change the world when our own lives seem to be in chaos?"

Knowing what I know now along with the things that I have most recently observed and learned, I believe there is an answer to this question. I am convinced that if we honestly want to be successful in “advancing the cause of freedom” and “ushering forth a moral revolution” that it is vital to commit to two things: An intense study regime combined with a deliberate plan of action.

Knowledge is Power. Therefore; ignorance can be our greatest stumbling block.

Since, the only person I can truly “fix” is myself, (Principles Govern – I cannot give to others what I do not posses myself), I have been contemplating my own desire to be successful in making a difference; and therefore, have been searching for a pattern to follow. I believe I have found one.

I was reading the “Making of America” by W. Cleon Skousen. In the beginning of the book, he lists each of the participants of the Federal and Sate Conventions during the years 1787-1788. There is a short description of each individual.

The pattern I have found was established over 230 years ago within the attributes of these men. Of course, it is appropriate to follow the example of our Founding Fathers. After all, we are engaged in the same fight they fought. But we are miles ahead because they wrote the document we are fighting to preserve.

In analyzing the pattern they set, I felt empowered and recommitted to establishing these attributes in my own life. I decided to share them with the hope that they might be a benefit for others as well.

First: They each committed extensive time and energy to gaining knowledge.

Second: They were economically self reliant and independent, some more so than others.

Third: They each learned to speak - fluently, reasonably, and articulately.

Fourth: They wrote about and published their ideas.

Fifth: They gathered in small groups within their communities and shared their ideas and action plans, building key relationships along the way.

Sixth: They lobbied for and gained respectable positions within their communities and states thus building trust within their relationships with others.

Seventh: They demonstrated through their actions and deeds in having trust and respect for themselves, their leader, and each other. (This is especially evident during the Constitutional Convention in 1787.)

Eighth: They were willing to (and in most cases did) lay down all that they possessed, and personally esteemed as worth, to the cause of Freedom.

Ninth: They believed in God and had great respect for a power greater than themselves, yet understood the power they possessed within themselves with His help.

Tenth: When it was time to get to work, they did!

With this pattern in mind, I have created a path to integrate each step within my own life to reach my goals in truly making a difference. I believe this can all be done while at the same time focusing on and building the cause of our day, The FreeCapitalist Project.

George Washington declared, “If, to please the people, we offer what we ourselves disapprove, how can we afterwards defend our work? Let us raise a standard to which the wise and the honest can repair. The event is in the hand of God.”

They won their fight, and so can we.

I'd love to hear your feedback and any additions that you have found by studying your heroes and heroines.

A Day for Heroes

The definition of a hero is, "a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for brave deeds and noble qualities."

During this season of so-called political upheaval with current debates and the upcoming elections, heroes can be molded and created in the political scenes of America. Reasonable men and women as politicians, candidates, delegates, and citizens make their choice to stand for principle under the strains of misconstrued issues, media blitzes and political strife. They find a way to stand firm on the foundation of individual rights, constitutional law and conscious reason. These men and women have studied, pondered, debated and deliberately calculated the purpose, means, and potential outcome of each proposed law, current issue and civil right. To those who have chosen courage to protect and act on principle I call heroes. I join their cause as a citizen and delegate to uphold and carry on those ideals.

Each of us has the inner ability to be a hero. Two key elements of heroism are knowledge and action. Are you willing to do what it takes to become the hero of your life? I believe the road is worth the toil; the consequence is justifiable; and the result is infinite. My glass is raised to every hero, whether acting in local communities or on the stage of public scrutiny. Today is the day for heroes.