By MamaLiberty

October 3, 2017, was the 14th anniversary of The Price of Liberty. I can’t ever seem to remember that ahead of time, but it’s not really too important. No parties or parades were ever planned.

September 25 was my 71st birthday, and I seldom remember that either unless I get a card from my sister… one of only two people who ever remember at all. And that’s not important either, though I did use my BD as an excuse this year to buy something I’ve wanted for a long time.

I got a good set of stainless steel pots and pans about 40 years ago. Managed to lose the big fry pan somehow ten years ago, and never did buy another one. Then, the last few years, arthritis in my hands has made using these heavy old pans ever more difficult. The new set solves that problem.

But why did I wait so long? I never had any lack of something to cook in… even in camp with my very old nesting pots. It just seemed like a good thing to do right then, and they were “on sale” at Amazon.com as well. Certainly a point of joy in my life, but not terribly important in the long run.

One of the great gifts of growing older – though not always accepted, of course – is the knowledge that not everything is really that important. In fact, when all is said and done, very little is of great importance. No matter how much political and other advertising tries to impress us with the contrary… most folks manage to continue with their lives regardless of who is elected or the availability of new pots and pans. The occasional tragedy and serious disappointment are certainly difficult to live with, but have been part of life since the beginning – whenever that was. Learning to adjust and cope is a vital part of human existence. And ultimate survival.

If we can come to accept the things we cannot change (the weather, for instance), and change the things that can be changed (the thermostat or our clothing), we limit our efforts (more or less) to the meaningful and important – and especially find comfort because we  understand the difference!

What most young people find earth shatteringly important today will be forgotten completely tomorrow. I lived through many, many years thinking life was hardly possible without this or that happening… and I can’t remember any of them now. Well… except for the feeling (intermittently right up to the final moment) that my life couldn’t possibly continue if the baby wasn’t born RIGHT NOW! That was with my first son. By the time the second one came along I had that in perspective too.

That first baby is now 50 years old, and a lot of water has gone under the bridge since. Nobody else remembers my pain or panic, as it should be. Such is life. It was only important to me.

So, what is important to you today? How are you living as a self owner? What are you doing to encourage others to “live and let live?” To be non-aggressors? To promote the free market and voluntary association?

Or are those things important to you at all?

I’d love to see your comments.