Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Determination means something different, than what it used to mean, something instilled by my parents, long ago. To be determined, one would apply himself. Work hard. Grind. In my parents’ baby-boomer mentality, they called it “buckling down.” It took me 45 years to unbuckle that mess of contrived thought.
Determination is about something greater (and wiser) than willpower. It has little to do with will or what we call power. Think of it this way: You are determined to apply no force and no reaction. You are determined to remain neutrally observant; peaceful, willing and loving; kind and soft; and compassionate of heart.
You are determined to never apply force – that’s war. You are determined that it will come easily, quickly, and without any effort whatsoever – that’s peace. And above all, you are committed to making it fun, even death.
Determination is a commitment to love, no matter what, even if it costs you your so-called life. If something or someone doesn’t love you back, it does not deter. If a condition deteriorates, it does not deter. Determination is to not be deterred. From what? Being loving. Being kind. Being happy. Being free.
Force and effort will not apply to achievement. Reaching, scheming, outsmarting the universe will not apply to promotion. I don’t “apply myself.” I comply with Love. I cannot be deterred by lack. I’m committed to practicing forceless love. I’m committed to dying, submissively and gratefully, as a gentle being.
I will not be deterred by conventional thinking, nor by God Herself. Now that’s determination – in scripture, God is angry, vengeful, and jealous. Surely, we can do better than she has in the ancient of days!
No force; no offense. Unbuckle and love. To be undeterred is to not even be offended by a silly author who just called God a girl, and vengeful.
Determination redefined: Refined through a commitment to unconditional love.