Someone ’ s watching … ( 07 / 29 / 2013 )
Someone ’ s watching … ( 07 / 29 / 2013 )
In case you missed it , the White House & conservative members of the U . S . Congress recently defeated an amendment that would have limited the enormous powers of the NSA to collect data on the private lives of primarily American citizens … How ironic it is that the agency in charge of protecting U . S . “ national security ” has become the enemy that now poses the greatest threat to the freedom of Americans .
Of course , as with any other challenge or tragedy that might befall us , there is positive to be taken from this development as well .
First & foremost , it is a reminder NOT that we should fight for our “ right to privacy ” ( which hasn ’ t existed in the United States in any viable form since the Patriot Act was passed some twelve years ago ), but is rather a clarion wake up call to a new way of Living — to the realization that we need not fear being spied upon if we choose to have nothing to hide .
After all , even if the NSA ’ s piercing gaze is not cast in your particular direction , God always knows what you are doing anyway … And even if God is busy elsewhere ( or even if He doesn ’ t exist at all ), your own conscience ( what some call “ the Soul ”) is monitoring your every move — rejoicing when you choose to sacrifice for others , and forgiving you whenever you slip into acts of greed or self-centeredness .
In essence , my friends , we don ’ t need to defeat those who would spy on us or find better ways to hide from them … We simply need to start living in ways that don ’ t need to remain hidden .
“ The severest trial of oppression is the constant outrage which one suffers at the mere thought of the oppressor . What Jesus discovered was how to avoid these inner devastations . And his technique was simple : simply face anger and practice the opposite emotion , Love … When this principle is actively embraced , even though a person may continue to be oppressed , he ceases to suffer . Even though a person seems to have lost certain liberties , she remains completely free .” ~ inspired by B . F . Skinner
48