4C's of kilting - by chris webb

**Kilted KT** · 14th April 06, 12:29 AM

I found this on another board (kiltmen.com), and based on the thread 'and they call themselves men...' I found that this post was ever-too pertinent.

I've obtained permission from the original poster to post this here( you can contact him at this addy crw113@yahoo.com)

It is a great post and had to be shared.

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THE 4 C's OF KILTING

Freedom isn't free, not even in a free country. Here in the US you are born with Freedom already given to you ... but Freedom is a gift that can only be used at a cost. What that cost is varies from as little as catching humourous flak from those who don't excercise their Freedom to those who may actually hurt you physically. You can excercise your Freedom to wear a kilt anytime you are willing and able to pay the price for that Freedom.

Now, the price of Freedom can be paid after you've excercised it or before you've excercised it. Freedom is worth the cost, even if you chose to pay the price after you've excercised it ... public ridicule, upset friends and family, obnoxious bar patrons, pushy bosses. Still, you've excercised your Freedom to wear a kilt, so good for you. But, there is a better way.

Here's how you pay the price of Freedom to wear a kilt in advance, I call it the 4 C's of Kilting:

Courage: You must invest in the development of your own personal Courage. Develop your body so that you know in your heart that you will look damned good in your kilt. Invest in your mind by studying and learning ways to answer questions, deflect flak and even physically intimidate (non-violently) those who may try to intimidate you. Courage thrives on preparation. Freedom loves and respects Courage.

Candor: Announce in advance, with out apology, to anyone who you think will have a problem with your kilt that you are going to wear it and that you are going to keep on wearing it. With the exception of 'the question' you should answer all questions and comments directly. 'The question' should remain a mystery. Meet all other questions with frank, prepared replies. Freedom hates to be questioned, Candor heads them off.

Commitment: You must decide before you exercise your Freedom to wear a kilt that you are going to wear it and that nobody is going to stop you. You don't ask permission, you don't offer apology, you don't back down. You will upset a few people, but they will respect you and your Commitment in the end. You have to commit to excercising your Freedom or Freedom will back-hand you. ... Freedom demands Commitment.

Competence: Put on your kilt and practice kiltmanship. Get a full length mirror and learn everything you can about how to move in your kilt. Know exactly what will show under different circumstances, going up stairs, down stairs, sitting, standing back up, crossing your legs, wind effects, bending over. Know how to wear your kilt, practice it. If you can't go Regimental for fear of being exposed it is because you are not Competent to wear your damned kilt. Competence protects Freedom.

If you practice these '4 C's' you are paying for your Freedom in advance and you will be able to enjoy your Freedom much, much more. Freedom must be held onto with both hands ... once lost, Freedom, any Freedom, can be almost impossible to get back. Freedom is not free, it is hard won and it is easily lost. But Freedom is there for any of us.

Is this the land of the Free? Yes. It is also the home of the Brave. It has to be. Only the Brave will pay the price of Freedom. Of course, the US is full of those without the Bravery to embrace their Freedoms ... it's not even about the US. Freedom is bigger than the confines of any country. Freedom is the most Godlike characteristic a Human can ever hope to have. Freedom belongs to all men, if only they will be Brave enough to pay the price to enjoy it.

Kilt On!

Chris Webb

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