In my opinion, if you feel strongly about something....you don't let jail hold you back. The guy that created "The Cove" risk death on a daily basis to bring the information to light. The little girl who was shot by the Taliban for going to school. Missionaries going into country's they know could be dangerous but risk it to help others, doctors without borders. The soldiers that leave their families and homes, the safety of America to risk their lives to protect our freedoms in this country.....all of them....know what they want, are following their dreams and don't let the fear of jail or death stop them....these are a very few examples of courage.
Someone who turkey believes what they are saying do not let fears stop them.
I don't know how old you are, I don't know what influences you have in your life. But it sounds like you are lost, like you are not sure what to believe in. I was there....around 14-15 years old. I had to find my passion, my path. I moved out of a very messed up home. Decided my path, and took it. I had many many many struggles along the way, huge setbacks. But I never gave up. Worked 3 jobs and paid for all of my own supply's for homeschool so I could get a diploma, something few in my family had done. I did not listen to the family members that suggested I take their path, or the ones that said what I was doing was stupid or impossible. Everything I was going went against the majority in my family were doing. I was told I was snotty, stuck up, a "b" word....that I thought I was better than everyone else. Well....all of the opinions did nothing but prove I wanted to be away from that mentality. That I had to get away from the mind set that everyone had to share the Same opinions or never be around each other. See...my family believed if you were different, if you did not share the same ideas or opinions...you were enemies....that you could not be friends or family. I believed that there had to be people who could think differently, but be family and friends. I knew what I would be loosing if I made the right hanged and used logic instead of emotion to think and live by. Sadly all of my fears came true, when I voiced who I was, what I stood for and when I started living my life the way I decided was my path. At 15...I was completely alone. Living the life of a very young conservative. My very liberal family abandoned me, because I did not share their life views. I wanted better and was considered and outsider...a snobby meany....yet they were the ones that abandoned me....when I did see a family member I was made fun of, when they saw my diploma, I was harassed, when they saw me make changes and succeed they teased harder, scapegoated and were relentless in their bombarding verbal and emotional attacks. Me staying clear of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and other addictive habits...was not rewarded or cheered. It was teased and used as a weapon to tease and verbally attack me. Never were they supportive, never were they my cheer leaders. I lived alone, cheered for myself and celebrated my successes alone. Today at 35 years old...4 of my cousins who finally woke up, visit with me...4 out 57 cousins...the point of the story...to help you understand...that I know what lost sounds like, looking for purpose sounds like, and knowing the desire to create a path for life sounds like. In my opinion, it sounds like you are where I was at 15 years old.
I can promise...you can follow someone's path, you can't emulate another's life. You have to find your own path if you want to feel fulfilled and accomplished. You can admire and look up to others but you can never be fulfilled following someone else's path. I am not a famous AR activist, not a well known member of the community. But what I am and have done is mine and mine alone. Not only did I become a visual merchandiser at 16 making $20 and hour, but I was also the manger of a clothing store at the age of 18...my work ethic and drive carried me farther than anyone else in my family had ever gotten. I did marry at 20 and had my first daughter at 20....but I did things my way...some say I am to strict, some say to conservative in raising my girls, I was criticized for taking the path of homemaker and giving up the career path. 16 years later...my path has me still married to with two beautiful, amazing daughters who are strong, straight forward, honest, well mannered, loving, caring, responsible, honor students, who volunteer their weekends to help in the community while being very conservative in moral, and political areas. Others did not like my path, others criticized my path, I was made fun of and bullied by not only friends but family. I never allowed it to change my path! Others may have influenced me...but I lived for me and my family.
Stop watching siblings, parents, family and friends....start thinking about where you want to be in 5 or 10 years and make choices that get you to that place. And remember mistakes now or in the near future can prevent you from achieving your goals...so be well aware of mistakes that can keep you from the life you want. Success is not measured in money, houses, cars or material items....In my opinion...it is waking up knowing that I am exactly where I belong that makes me feel successful. Knowing that I made my way against everything people threw at me..knowing I gave my kids a completely different life and lifestyle...
My daughter loves every animal...would own a zoo in our home if she was allowed....but like I have told her...you are never going t rid the world of evil. There will always be evil in the world you can't change that, but you can do things in your life that help, even if it is a small difference it is still a difference. We serve food at the men's shelter on Sundays, we help clean the parks and community-even when we take our evening walks, we volunteer at the pound and humane society, we take Millie our dog to do therapy work at hospital and schools, we donate to things that mean something to us...we also pay close attention to politics because that makes the biggest difference in our country and around the world. We don't fall for the emotional games they play in speeches and campaigns, we look at what they vote for and what their policies do to people we care about....you don't have to be labeled as something to make a difference....you don't have to be shoving your ideas and opinions off on others to be successful....just work to make small changes and those small changes you make will bring much joy and fulfillment to your personal life. Good luck finding your path....one bit of advice....don't try to use emotions with a group that uses logic...logic outweighs emotion every time....except with emotional people. Don't attack, that turns people off and makes the attacker look that much more emotional and oblivious. Understand that many people enjoy a balanced diet, some don't have the ability to have a store two mins always and can't grow gardens. Some just love wild game, does not have the chemicals and other government injected stuff and is much healthier. That is one reason we shop at the local farms, farmer markets and dairy. Be happy you live in a country you have the FREEDOM to find your own path, to voice your opinions on a forum and not be jailed or put to death. Be happy you have the choice to eat whatever diet you choose. Happy you have the right to own a pet. Be happy you have those freedoms and choices....and ALLOW other the same freedoms without judgement or condemnation from people who don't believe exactly as you think they should. That is the great thing about freedom, choice...choice that someone else may not make...choice that others are not allowed. If you don't want others making choices for you....don't try to push your ideas and opinions on others. When you wake up and see you can respect others and still be happy with your path, that is when you have learned respect for others and when you will be the happiest. Don't worry about others actions. Choose your path, make good choices to get where you want to be, don't judge others and you will be happy....I know from learning the same lessons.
Good luck in your journey.....
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