Americans greatest strength is our independence and determination. We speak our minds and stand for our rights. We reach for the stars and then set out to get there. Proud to be an American and understand why so many others risk their lives to be here among us.
But, as is often the case, our greatest strength can also be our greatest weakness.
Recently I contemplated the near ruin of two people, financially, health, and job. They are totally different and have totally different lifestyles. Although I could go into all the details it probably would not be wise. But, as I have watched the situations develop over the last year or more I realized one thing they had in common: stubbornness. They had received an abundance of good advice, they had plenty of time to make changes, but they choose to move forward in the same direction despite the warnings of others who cared about them.
Now don't think this was terrible and immoral things they did and I realized that all of us have this same stubborn streak. It is part of our independence, culture, and free will. For some it comes out in eating another bag of chips when the scale tips 200, for someone else it might be just one more time with the maxed out credit cards, another it might be putting off looking for a new job. All can lead to consequences that we do not want but could have foreseen had we chosen to listen, learn, and change.
As I reflected I wondered...If the truth be told...how many of us would have Stubbornness as the cause of death on the death certificate. I suspect it would top cancer, heart disease, or any other known disease.
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