Freedom
The image above is a prototype of the flag that my Uncle Joel was commissioned to hang in the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City. His artwork was chosen over dozens of others for inclusion in the newly opened memorial. The flag’s image was also used on gift-shop items to help raise funds for victims of the 9/11 attacks. In addition to having his work displayed, he was in Lower Manhattan at the time of impact and assisted first responders during our country’s second attack on its soil.
This July 4th, our country celebrated its 249th year of independence, which is another word for freedom. I have written many times on my blog about choices, self-empowerment, writing your own narrative, and charting your own course. This post doubles down on all of that.
When the Pilgrims set sail for America in 1662, there was no Plan B. Their desire to live free of the Church of England and worship as they chose was the driving force behind their quest for freedom. I’m not sure they understood all the dangers that potentially existed crossing the Atlantic. How could they? But they did it anyway. Too many options leads to procrastination by deliberation. What they did know was that they could no longer endure those conditions—and would rather risk the lives of their congregation than continue to suffer at the hands of the King and the Church of England.
Fact Check: I am aware that the Pilgrims arriving in the New World and the 4th of July are mutually exclusive events, and there is a 114-year difference between the two. However, without the Pilgrims, there is no 4th of July.
It’s amazing to see what happens when there are no choices. Complacency, contentment, indifference, and satisfaction are killers of dreams. Since starting ONE-FED, I’ve ventured into social media to review our posts and offer commentary to people in need of our services. I avoided the social-media trap for many years for numerous reasons, but the main one was the pervasive complaining. Complaining without a solution occurs when you have options. The Pilgrims packed up the ship and charted their course because there were no more options. How many of us are still stuck on the “mainland” while there is a vast ocean of possibilities awaiting.
Change is the most difficult thing to overcome. Choosing to be better, be different or even starting over. So many of us are unwilling to trust that we all have special gifts and talents to become the best version of ourselves whenever we choose to do so. I have begun reading the 5 a.m. club by Robin Sharma recently. And although I have been a “member” of that club for some time, I was unaware of some of the science that is revealed in the book. Most of us are clueless of the self-sabotage that exists within our brains that hold some of us down. Before any of you get excited that now you may have someone to blame for your current position, some of this occurs without our knowledge.
Our “ancient brain,” where the amygdala resides, is the portion of our brain that is responsible for protection and safety and is constantly on high alert. This midair collision mechanism was responsible for protecting early man from weather, warring tribes, dangerous animal encounters, and every possible occurrence that existed millions of years ago. Our “modern brain,” which houses the prefrontal cortex, is responsible for higher thought, goal setting, critical thinking, creativity, and anything that helps each of us reach all of our inborn greatness. However, the ancient brain has been rendered a bit useless due to millions of years of evolution and as a result of our exposure to danger being minimized over time. And it knows it is no longer the prime mover of all things human. The reduced need for humans to continually be on high alert has eroded the need for the “ancient brain’s” former usefulness. Think “use it or lose it,” as it pertains to de-evolution. The “ancient brain” ran the show for millions of years, and it is constantly at odds with the new kid on the block, the “modern brain”. In order to slow down or at the very least compete with the “modern brain” the “ancient brain” sabotages our OS – Operating System – however it can. This self sabotage is accomplished by our reliance on our electronic devices, television, gossip, laziness and lack of self awareness and occurs as a result of the ancient brain wanting to be safe. Meaning, staying on the mainland.
The advancement in environmental wellbeing still did not render the ancient brain’s objective fully obsolete. It is programmed for fight or flight or to simply stand still, and it will stop at nothing to do its job. Think Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator. The ancient brain will use anything it can to deploy its resources and maintain its current position, and thus it resorts to self sabotage. Moreover, it is afraid of the modern brain’s ability to render it useless. It knows AI is coming for it. This self-preservation has created your unwavering need to check your phone, scroll for likes, sit and binge-watch Love Island for seven hours, sleep late and procrastinate. So it is not really your fault. But is it? The ancient brain is partially responsible for the self sabotage we humans create in order to stay on the “mainland.” We are complicit in our reliance on comfort. The modern brain is eager to get on the Mayflower. In order to get on the Mayflower, it takes courage, disagreement and discomfort. This is where awareness comes into play. Some of us do not even know that this negative feedback loop is happening automatically. And keeping you from becoming your best self. Well, here’s the memo! Meta, Google, Facebook, Draftkings and the 24-hour news cycle know it. The ancient brain could not be happier with the team approach. There is comfort in standing still. The ancient brain knows that and is banking on your commitment to that end. WAKE UP.
So, what is the solution? Glad you asked. First, you must be interested in change at some level. Second, if this breaking news makes you mad, then fantastic. Now you can do something about it. Next, get clued into the controllable aspects that you can effectively change that could be holding you back. Third, reprogram your routine. And this may be the hardest part of all. Saying goodbye to the things that absolutely don’t serve you. If you have gotten this far here is the basic formula for change.
Wake up early, meditate and set your intentions for the day. Breathe, sweat, and move every day. Stay off your phone. Read and journal. Eat real food. Drink water. Become aware of the nonsensical automatic routines that are keeping you in place. And, by all means, realize that if you are here, you are a miracle. Yes, a miracle. And that in itself should provide you with all the motivation you need to become the best version of yourself. Freedom!
Growing up, the 4th of July was pretty chill, definitely pool and BBQ. Perhaps an outing to see fireworks, but typically we would watch the world renowned Grucci family’s fireworks show on TV. Wimbledon was typically on the whole weekend, with the men’s finals on Sunday, just before 60 Minutes. I grew up in what could be termed the Golden Age of men’s tennis: Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, and Björn Borg. And who could forget the iconic matches of Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert? I didn’t play tennis; actually, I only watched it during Wimbledon. And this Sunday I will tune in to see two players whose names I don’t even know and be transported back to our little house in Tamarac, Florida, waiting to eat BBQ and swim in the pool with my two brothers. Have a great week, everyone.
