Speech

[MichaelD]

MichaelD, I automatically have a instinctual response when somebody tells me I have a owner that is not myself.

I am satisfied and in love with other people, Michael, but not to the point to where I can say I owe my life to others or where I live solely for the sake of others.

I unremorsefully have a "ego" in that I have self-respect. I will listen to people and I will give love by expressing myself in that people might appreciate my existence as-it-is without censor.

However, I will not put my life in the hands of others. That is my responsibility. My life is mine to run. I appreciate others in how they are regardless of what they do.

You lack understanding and rather than make an effort to mindfully listen to answers to questions you've asked, you present strawman arguments in an effort to be "right". This is not what I've said. You don't owe anyone anything. This doesn't mean your life isn't a result of everyone else's.

You speak as if your life is the result of only your doing. Your parents gave you life. Mother Earth gives you food and water. Others have generated electricity to power your world and people from another country living in hellish conditions have created the device with which you peruse these forums. You are full of biases from childhood, prejudiced to love your friends more than a stranger. Perhaps you prefer 2% milk because that's what you drank as a child. Perhaps you enjoy constructing strawman arguments because your parents did as well, or a role model of yours.

It is irrelevant if you choose to put your life in the hands of others, as it already is. This is beyond STS or STO. This is fact. You can make your choices now, but tomorrow you will be bound to the results of your own choices as well as others. Just ask the Adonai One in an alternate reality who was killed by a drunk driver.

Every heartbeat is a gift, and not one you've given yourself. It was given by something else. Yes, you can influence it GREATLY by the way you live your life, but the gift could be taken at any moment. Serve yourself or serve others, in the end it is irrelevant. You are connected to everyone else regardless.

Your choices are yours to make, but your life is lived by something far greater.