My
daughters and I are currently studying the history of the mid-18th
century, including the fascinating life stories of many involved in the
American Revolution. That, coupled with thinking and talking about the ramifications
of elections earlier this month, has me pondering the concepts of life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
I
think it’s safe to say that most of us take those blessings for granted. To our
shame, most haven’t read beyond the preamble to the Declaration of
Independence, let alone the Constitution. And because the events that secured
our freedoms occurred almost 250 years ago, it’s easy to dismiss them in the
midst of our busy, modern lives. I believe we do so to our great peril. But in
light of this week’s Thanksgiving holiday – which marks other significant
events in our country’s history – we would do well to pause and consider those
blessings more closely.
LIFE
We
have it easy in this country compared to many around the world. We don’t fear being
slaughtered because of our religious views, as is happening daily in Iraq and
Syria. We needn’t wonder about the availability of the next good meal for our
children; even those who struggle financially have safety nets that don’t exist
elsewhere. When our kids get sick, we have access to the best medical treatment
around. And yet we’re not immune to the realities of living in a fallen world –
miscarriage, cancer, car accidents, mental illness – all of which should cause
us to appreciate and value life, from conception to natural death. And the fact
that we’re able to easily sustain comparatively healthy lives for ourselves and
our kids should lead us to grateful humility.
LIBERTY
Without
periodically reviewing history prior to the founding of the United States, we
can’t properly appreciate the freedoms we enjoy here. I didn’t have a good
grasp of world history until studying it with my daughters, but as we’ve
progressed in our lessons, I’ve been astounded at the extreme levels of tyranny
endured by so many in the past. America has certainly not been perfect in its
application of liberty for all – and in our ignorance of history, we’re in
jeopardy of allowing ourselves to lose it without even realizing what’s
happened. But the fact is that “the American experiment” really has been the
greatest application of human liberty for all, and we need to remember and
appreciate it.
PURSUIT
OF HAPPINESS
We
get confused about this, unconsciously buying into the myth that we’re somehow
entitled to happiness. But the promise of the Declaration is freedom to pursue happiness, not a guarantee of its
perpetual existence. We can’t always be happy in every circumstance; the
realities of life simply preclude it, so demanding it is arrogant and immature.
However, we’re free here to chase after our dreams – whatever they are – for
ourselves and our kids. When we want to make changes, we have the liberty to do
so, and we can find the means through our ingenuity and imagination. That’s
simply not reality for most people around the world.
Every
year at Thanksgiving I challenge myself – and my children – to think beyond
turkey, stuffing, and pie. Our holiday traditions are like the beautiful
blossoms on an apple tree, but we need to remember the tree’s unseen, buried
roots to fully appreciate the flowers and their burgeoning fruit. This year
we’ll be pondering concrete examples of life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness. What about you?
*****
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