A Waiver to Life Is Simply Good | Filed under General
Before I can jump out of the airplane and go skydiving, before I could have flown solo in an airplane, or before I can go on the whitewater rafting trip, a waiver has to be signed.
The waiver is a document that says I realize the dangers in what I’m about to do, that I and I alone have made the decision to participate in the activity, and that I and I alone are responsible for the outcome.
I sign away my right to sue, whine, complain–to do anything except risk my life for a new experience.
I sign the waiver to protect others from being liable in case of an accident. I think waivers are a good reminder that ultimately no one is responsible for my life but me. There is no one to blame, no one to sue, no one to ask for a refund. I make my own decisions and I live with the result of those choices each day.
So do you.
It’s your life. Sign a waiver saying that you take responsibility for it. Set yourself and others free.
* * * * *
Read the following waiver carefully. Fill in the blanks, and be aware of what you’re signing. Take responsibility for what you do.
Waiver
I understand that during the course of my life I will be required to make many decisions, such as where I want to live, whom I want to live with, where I work, how much fun I have, and how I spend my money and time, including how much time I spend waiting for things to get better and people to change, and whom I choose to love.
I understand that many events that occur will be out of my hands and that there are inherent dangers and risks in all decisions I make. Life and people have no obligation whatsoever to live up to my expectations; I have no obligation to live up to the expectations of anybody else. Life is a high-risk sport, and I may become injured along the way.
I agree that all the decisions I make are mine and mine alone, including how I choose to handle the events that are beyond my control. I hereby forfeit my right to recourse as a victim, including my rights to blame, complain, and whine or hold someone else responsible for the path I choose to take. I am responsible for my participation–or lack of it–in life. And I take complete responsibility for the outcomes and consequences of all decisions I make, understanding that ultimately it is my choice whether I become happy, joyous, and free or stay miserable and trapped.
Although people may voluntarily nurture and love me, I and I alone am responsible for taking care of and loving myself.
Signed: _________________________
Date: ______________________
I realized that living in the present is not an idea. It’s reality. It’s like taking one step at a time. Sounds good. Good philosophy, right? Then it occurred to me, Have you ever taken two steps at a time? We can’t. It’s as simple as that: we can’t. It’s the same with living in the present. Our thoughts may wander to the past or the future. Yet, our thoughts are just thoughts. Our bodies are in the present. We are in the present. That’s just the way it is.
Anne Wilson Schaef
If you do this you are on your way to a place where Life Is Simply Good. In my Next Post I will share some more on Living in the present. Take care, Smile and even Missy is understanding Life Is Simply Good.
September 22nd, 2005 at 8:47 pm
That was wonderful… I’ll sign on that line. A few things hit home to me as they always do here (my dose of wisdom and soul feeding) but I’m working on them.
Love & Hugs!! I’m glad that Missy understand that.
September 22nd, 2005 at 9:41 pm
Or as my CPA put it, there are things in life we have controlover and things in which we don’t. Just a mere 5 years ago, I was in a different world all the way around. This past year or so I’ve adapted and have re-drawn the “life plans”. And there are no guarantees, but I’m pursuing things I’ve wanted to do since I was 10. So, a very good post!!! I’ll sign.
September 22nd, 2005 at 9:42 pm
I will happily sign that waiver. Excellent post, and once again something to really think on.
September 22nd, 2005 at 9:49 pm
I’ll sign. First I have to read this again, but I’ll sign!
Great post!
September 22nd, 2005 at 11:00 pm
You are so tight and, ah, the way you put it.
September 22nd, 2005 at 11:07 pm
This is awesome !! I will sign on the dotted line !!
*HUGS*
September 23rd, 2005 at 12:21 am
Great post, as always, Miss V.! This one reminded me of my favourite prayer in the whole world, The Serenity Prayer. Don’t ask me why, that would mean I’d have to figure out my mind, and that’s too scarey.
September 23rd, 2005 at 5:42 am
I’m thinkin’ signing this here waiver should be mandatory when everyone reaches, say the age of twelve… of younger.
Good stuff young lady.
September 23rd, 2005 at 6:08 am
” X “
September 23rd, 2005 at 6:33 am
Wish I had had a copy of this waiver when I was raising my teens……
September 23rd, 2005 at 7:27 am
This post was just another reminder of what I know is true, but have a hard time with, you know?
As always, thanks for the inspirational post and you will get my autograph!
September 23rd, 2005 at 8:14 am
I walk around with that waiver on my forehead each and everyday. Thank-YOU for validating many things I think are important. Top on my list is responsibility for our actions, with consistency. It would help if EVERYONE would sign that waiver-paper, then many personal and global hiccups might not occur. When you have children, as I do, sometimes that document has to change, as in ammendments or additions that come about because of the legal irresponsibility of an X’ed other. {Boo-Hiss! Today I go back to court #7-8 time because of the previous statement included here} Happy Weekend to you… ~Bravo on the post~
September 23rd, 2005 at 8:47 am
My daddy always told me: ‘You write your own ticket’ in life. I’ve done pretty good abiding by that, a Fate has helped me out testing the concept from time to time. Thanks Vic, I figure Fate has also thrown you in my path. I accept the challenge.
September 23rd, 2005 at 10:04 am
I signed off on that waiver long ago.
September 23rd, 2005 at 11:32 am
Oh yeah, I’m loving that~
September 23rd, 2005 at 11:59 am
I am responsible for every decision I ever made in my life, good or bad. I am entitled to a regret or too for having done things that in retrospect I might have done differently. But I hold no one else responsible for the way my life turned out. And overall, I am pleased withe person who faces me in the mirror each morning.:wave:
Winthrop
September 23rd, 2005 at 2:00 pm
I like this, Vickie. I’ll sign one for myself but I won’t give up responsibility for my kiddos or their safety…I may have to take the Army on if they let my kid get hurt in Rita.
Take care and have a great weekend.
September 23rd, 2005 at 2:15 pm
Signed, sealed, and delivered!
September 23rd, 2005 at 10:01 pm
Thank you Victoria… you’re one o’ the goodn’s
September 24th, 2005 at 11:34 am
There is one caveat not included in your waiver. The right to defend yourself from the actions of others that threaten your ability to act and think the way you wish. Just a thought.
The quote you had at the end reminds me of an old Grass Roots song called Live For Today. You may be too young to remember it. Live for today, but you still need to plan for tomorrow, and that requires understanding the past.
September 24th, 2005 at 1:09 pm
Good waiver. I like the new header and template. Snazzt.
September 24th, 2005 at 1:11 pm
Yes, think I’ll print it and tack it up as a reminder.
September 24th, 2005 at 1:14 pm
[…] Featured Non-Chocolate Quote: “It’s your life. Sign a waiver saying that you take responsibility for it. Set yourself and others free. Waiver: I understand that during the course of my life I will be required to make many decisions, such as where I want to live, whom I want to live with, where I work, how much fun I have, and how I spend my money and time…” (source: Always Victoria) […]
September 24th, 2005 at 2:05 pm
I’ve been thinking about this post for a good 14 hours and I still can’t get beyond my initial thought.
“Wow.”
You’ve dazzled me with that one, Victoria!
September 24th, 2005 at 8:03 pm
That’s awesome! I love it. I found your blog via the “Audience of One” weekend summary. I’ll be back to read more!
September 26th, 2005 at 10:59 am
Thank you for your amazing courage and your ability to put life (in no certain terms) realisticly. I connected to your blog via Avik. What an amazing communty the bloggers are, i am at home.
love love love,
wineandsky