Learning to think for myself.

I have been brainwashed much of my life. Maybe even all of my life. Because I was born initially without the ability to think for myself. I would not have survived on my own. I needed the intervention of my parents and others. For 75 years I've been struggling to think for myself. And I may never fully master the art. But I keep trying to get it right. To find the way that truly suits me. In many ways, I've cleansed my mind. For instance, I was brought up as a 'Christian.' But finally I decided to abandon organized religions. I've become a free-thinker. Because that seems to make sense. I was brought up to believe that my country (the USA) was the greatest country in the world. And that my country could do no wrong. Of course, I now know that's proposterous. A bold-faced lie. I also was made to believe that capitalism is the finest of all economic systems. But now I'm a socialist sympathizer. And I once waved the Republican flag. But eventually I came around to follow my liberal instincts. But the grandest thing of all -- I've discovered that I was meant to be a romantic idealist. And a lover. Yes, finally I have learned to think for myself. And truly live in the way I was meant to live. --Jim Broede