Worrying news out of Canada:

Platforms which host podcasts now need to register with the Canadian government.

The reason?

To permit “regulatory controls”.

Or, in plain English, to allow the Canadian government to vet and censor these podcasts.

Yikes!

Will newsletters be next?  My humble daily emails could soon be at risk from Big Brother!

Thing is, I don’t think my emails are controversial.  And I only have a handful of Canadian readers.

But that’s not really the point.

The point is that my emails are mine. 

I write what I want to write.  If people want to read what I have to say, they will.  And if they don’t, they won’t (the unsubscribe button is just below, folks).

This seems fair to me.

I know what I say won’t jive with everyone.

I know I might offend some people.

I know I might even offend you.

But this is simply a byproduct of having the freedom to write what I want and being willing to share my view.  Just like this email right now.

And this, really, is what freedom is all about. 

In some ways, offending people is proof that you are free.  And that you’re not living your life like a chameleon, continually stepping on eggshells, biting your tongue or adapting to the people, environment or situation you’re in to toe the party line and not risk even the smallest sniff of disagreement or conflict.

That’s not freedom. 

It’s captivity.

And for the literal Larry’s and Linda’s picking holes – yes, I know there are times when you must do or say the right thing. 

I’m not talking about these times.

I’m talking about the worry of causing offense for sharing your views – or even simply for being yourself .

Which, to my mind, is a gloomy way to live your life.

And it’s why I find the idea of a shadowy, mafia-like racket wagging it’s finger and dictating who & what gets silenced to be so disturbing.

My takeaway from all of this?

Focus on the people who like you or love you for simply being yourself, and let the people who don’t get on with their lives.

Life’s too short to be hiding your light in order to pander to others.

In related news:

Part of what I do as a coach is help folks who are feeling out of whack to reconnect with their true, authentic selves.  The self they are when they’re not trying to be someone else.

If you’d like to find out more:

https://waitinglist.followingfulfilment.com

Catch you tomorrow.

- Tom