Let me begin by saying…It’s not about me!
It’s about You and Me. It’s about US.
It’s about the power of inspiration in our lives.
It’s about doing the right thing…Just because it’s the right thing and even when no one is looking.
On July 4th 1776 it became about this:
The Essence of American Spirit…
The tragic flaw for any individual is their failure to recognize and embrace the ideas and thoughts that are the result of their own inspiration. Throughout our lives we are all touched by inspiration. Do not doubt this truth as it is the basis for what is possible for all men and women especially those who may be unsatisfied with their place in life.
It isn’t a lack of magnificent ideas, possession of skills, opportunities and resources that separate average people from the artists, inventors and leaders who have embraced their inspiration and made a life out of it.
What divides the lives of “inspired” people from the rest of society is a determination to turn their thoughts into reality. Just as you do, they had self-doubt and were consumed by skepticism and fear in the beginning. Their enthusiasm greeted with criticism from friends and family members and their path lined with obstacles just as yours is. In the beginning they didn’t possess the resources or the skills to see their mission through but they did possess a developing faith in the outcome of their efforts.
Regardless of diverse religious and political beliefs being an American means embracing the idea that Any person can transition their thoughts into reality … And that ONLY in death or uncertainty is the fate of an individual sealedFrom this one shared belief our Nation’s optimism became endless and our faith in individual accomplishment limitless.
Once proclaimed “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights” unprecedented societal and technological advancement finally began. Unimaginable in the previous thousand years an unyielding transformational progress forged new intellectual boundaries and expectations in mere decades. Yet our awe-inspiring nature was exposed only after the minds of women were awakened and the contributions of blacks and other minorities included.
Today begins a new period of human progress where the contributions of each individual are not incremental but instead essential. Together we face great adversity once again. And Our response to the challenges of our day must be rooted in the same spirit of necessity that called upon our ancestors to overcome economic and cultural limitations to produce leaders and contributors from common men and women.
This too is our calling…to bring forward the inspired ideas and contributions of every American. Each of us has…a role…a talent to be developed…a special idea…a purpose for our abilities…and a private trust in viability.
Political differences aside Americans are united by this…Our joined truth:
America’s potential is diminished less the precious contribution of ANY person.
Only after the potential of each person is reached will we as a Nation be able to ensure that each American is… Safe…Fed…Educated…Insured…Secure in Old Age…and of the American Dream.
All men and women are created equal with a gift of self expansion…and an inclination towards self-defeat. It is within the thoughts and beliefs of men and women where social and economic separation resonates and insight for advancement is born. The choice is always ours and so are the consequences when we choose poorly.
Somewhere in America a security guard works the late shift. He has grand visions of airtight port security but instead of writing his ideasdown and backing them with research, focus and attention…he thinks to himself “too bad I didn’t go to college…no one would ever listen to me.” So he turns his thoughts to Seinfeld instead of the needs of a Nation.
Somewhere in America a Pharmacist goes to work each day with an abundance of education and training and complains to his wife each night how boring his life is. But the other day he had an idea for senior prescription cost savings…and thinks “too bad I don’t have the time to see it through”.
Somewhere in America an Islamic American will enter a Mosque and pray for peace and when she leaves the mosque she will have a calling to bring people together. Underpowered she never realizes millions would gladly invest their energies behind her inspired vision if she gives them the chance.
Somewhere in America a teacher thinks if only…then remembers being told others and not he are responsible for such impressive ideas.
Previous barriers to accomplishment of the masses were sometimes physical, discriminated against by race, gender or economic circumstance…but today they are mental. Those who claim to be unable…today are instead revealed to be unwilling, possessing minds exceedingly limited by individual imagination and fortitude.
Advancements in education and technology require less and less of the human mind and because of this we have learned that…When a mind is not challenged it does not strengthen. When character is not tested it will weaken. When minds are not focused they will be easily distracted. When people do not persist they will fail. When risk is not taken obstacles remain. When minds are not counted upon they will not be dependable.
Resistance still exists for all men and women who endeavor to advance their plan…of course it does. But now every state can be overcome with a specific purpose for doing so. With key strokes and mouse clicks every mind is provided an opportunity to evolve and innovate. Secrets of systems, personal advancement and creative knowledge once available only to the privileged and educated now dispersed to the masses for whatever purpose they may envision.
When it’s all said and done it’s about this…
“the magic of risking everything on a dream nobody sees but you.”
-from the movie ‘million dollar baby’
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