Friday, September 12, 2025
A former graduate professor of mine was told by his doctor that he likely wouldn’t see his 70th birthday. His health was in shambles. High blood pressure, digestive distress – you name it. His excuse? He was “stuck.” There was no way to retire, financially, he and his wife couldn’t fathom such freedom. Too many fiscal restraints. He told me a few years ago when I was there to visit, he was stuck. Working himself to death.
That very professor said 25 years ago, “Ryan, the greatest resource in academia is freedom.” Little did he know that same freedom, of which he sang praises, was not merely academic. It’s universal. Yet, it was out of reach for him on a personal level. He was, in his own words, “stuck,” declaring it, making it real.
Why is wisdom hard to apply in all areas of life? Surely, if this professor saw the virtues of freedom in his life in academia, he could also see this same freedom in his personal life. But the fiscal gods had him clutched by the balls. In academia, no ball-clutching – free to work himself to death. Balls swinging to and fro, right to the morgue. But personally, the fiscal gods had his constricted balls shriveled up by “life’s circumstances.” Headed to the morgue, one way or another.
“You can’t serve two masters,” said Jesus. Apparently we can pick. What’s it going to be, the school or the bank or life? Who’s got your balls? To those who understand “going commando,” there is no commander, no master. Is it fiscal, academic, personal? Pick your commander, friends. When you realize there is none, the balls drop and swing. Ah – fresh air. Let ‘em swing boys. Or girls, let those boobs flop. No more constriction. You’re free to go commando, unless you think something other than you makes you “stuck.” It’s just tight underwear that you put on yourself. Oh the tangled webs we weave!