I’ve been realizing that living in a digital age ran by social media has correlated with a decline of independent thought. We consistently quote songs and excerpt literature that has either moved us or interpreted a feeling we couldn’t express ourselves. In turn, its perceived as justified only because its taken from a source that is either popular, or at least accessible, to the general public to be validated credible.  Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of my favorite writers, said, “I hate quotations. Tell me what you know.” I’m not boycotting being inspired by others, but more so- Rather than fit our lives into someone else’s recycled perceptions – “Oh wow those words of (insert quote here) really represent me ,”  Why not challenge ourselves to–be–the inspiration that represents ourselves? Can we connect with each other through our own creative, independent thought?  I feel we all have ideas that are just as inspiring, moving, and -real- as that of anyone else, regardless of how many people hear it. You just have to take the step forward and let it be heard.  So  I’ve decided to start a collection of my own “isms,” the things I’ve come to learn, live, and stand by throughout the years. 

#1. The military is made up of a select group of  individuals who put their lives on the line so that others don’t have to. A man will give a dollar to a homeless person in sympathy without even knowing their name…. But a  military member is willing to sacrifice his or her life  for you, already considering  you would  never even know they existed.

For the time being, until i can figure out a way to categorize and collect these “random thoughts,” they will be categorized under “What I know”