January 29, 2025

Raised

I was raised to be harvested. I am exploited for and separated from my time, my wealth, and my joy.
I was raised to be a product. I am bought and sold countless times without pause or inconvenience.
I was raised to be a fool. I am manipulated and deceived until my thoughts are not my own.
I was raised to be a vassal. I am told I must accept my place and never question it.
I was raised to be silent. I am distracted and censored to keep me from speaking out.
I was raised to be a drone. I am ordered to labor quietly and die without fuss.
I was raised to worship people, nation, and self, trading my soul for fruitless pursuits.
This is who the takers raised me to be.

I choose to be a giver. I will use my time, wealth, and joy selflessly.
I choose to be a doer. I will act when action is called for.
I choose to be wise. I will reject poisonous ideas and mindless consumption.
I choose to be a leader. I will move forward and bring others with me.
I choose to be a protector. I will defend the outcast.
I choose to be a human. I will fight for a better world than the one I came into.
I choose to worship the God who made me to love and to steward this Earth.
I choose to be who God made me to be.

seventhray