Self-sacrifice

   
     Giving up your life, helping others meet their needs while yours are not met, developing the potential of others while curbing your own, risking your life even to the point of death - this idea of self-sacrifice should be questioned.  We need to consider what individual, group, or cause is benefited when we sacrifice ourselves.
     Governments benefit when soldiers are willing to kill the enemy and risk injury and death for a cause decided upon by others.  Parents who sacrifice so the next generation can reach their potential may only be teaching their children to continue the pattern of procreation as the ultimate goal instead of developing their own potential.  Down through history, servants and women have been pressured to serve their masters, their husbands.  The powerful often flourish at the expense of underlings.
     Many religions are based on putting aside "selfish" needs even unto death.  Giving up your life in order for someone else to live and develop is seen as the highest act of love.
     Religious or not, you have one life here on earth, a few decades to know and love yourself in order to survive, develop, and be all you can be.  The Army uses this slogan to encourage young people to give up years of their lives to develop military skills that will certainly benefit the goals of the army first, the individual second.
     Value your life; don't give it away.  You are as important as anyone else and need to use your freedom to develop your own path.  As people develop their own potential, they will be much more equipped to benefit society.

Regret

     Is regret the best reaction to something you did in the past?  Are you being disloyal and casting a shadow over your former self because of something you did or didn't do?
     Perhaps you or someone else suffered unpleasant consequences of your past decisions or actions.  Perhaps the person you are now with added experience and wisdom would make a different decision.  They say hindsight is 20/20; a better viewpoint now than in the past.  Many people think, "If only I had _____, things would be different or better."  This wishful thinking is a useless waste of time.
     Many religions want you to focus on past sins and be repentant.  Some people need a god to forgive them; some learn to forgive themselves.  Better yet, just realize you may have made mistakes, but at the time you had your reasons.  Perhaps you will do it differently in the future.
     What's done is done. We can't change the past or make up for history.  Negative emotions and apologies will not erase or negate the past.
     Now is now.  Accept your personal history as stepping stones toward tomorrow.  The path is never perfect.  You may have slipped along the way, but you made it to today.  Don't regret it. 

September

     We look back on a long, hot summer and forward to a season of harvest, new TV programs, and football.  Nature provides us with food and fall colors.  TV reruns are making way for something new.  Football fans have high hopes for their favorite teams.
     Many of us look back on a busy family life and forward to a slower paced retirement.  We reap the harvest of jobs well done, children grown, and added generations.  We have the opportunity to start something new and exciting.
     The days grow short when you reach September.  The end of the calendar is much closer than the beginning.  Get as much joy as possible out of all the seasons.  Also, give as much joy as possible in these precious days.