Sacrifice and Service
Since declaring our independence from Great Britain 235 years ago, we continue to strive in advancing in every field of human endeavor, remain a super power, be the beacon of light and source of opportunities for the entire world.
Getting to this point wasn’t easy and, as we seek to improve ourselves as a people and as a country, we must keep the spirit of our ancestors that made the thought of the United States of America into a reality, deeply rooted within our way of life.
This starts with a belief that our better days are ahead. To think differently means you are not willing to sacrifice. You are not willing to move outside your comfort zone and contribute the very substance that is needed each and everyday: thought, dedication, and positive action.
America needs more of its citizens to became actively engage in their government and community in order to be and sustain the change that is needed across America and throughout the world.
Regardless of one’s political views and/or religious beliefs, each of us has a responsibility to leave the next generation with more hope and desire rather than anguish and hopelessness. We must provide young people with opportunities that will prepare them to accomplish more than the previous generation. We must create an environment that develops and fosters leadership that will not waiver in times of darkness, but stand even when the cause is unpopular and doing the hard-right verses the easy-wrong can be difficult to bear. We must instill a value system in ourselves that, regardless of the situation, regardless of the resources, each of us can answer a higher calling of self-less service.
In the misted of the celebrations and after the shopping and fun is over this 4th of July, ask yourself have you made any sacrifices that will keep your community and this nation safe, educated, and meaningful. Have you cared for the least of these or casted them aside as an afterthought? Have you been willing to be part of the solution to our most challenging issues as a country or do you settle for being part of the problem that acts as a distraction?
Make a pledge to yourself on America’s birthday to do your part to make America a better place for the next generation. Such a pledge, no matter how great or small, would provide the first step that will lead to winning the future one community at a time. Such a step will ensure that America’s standing in the world will not diminish because the strength of her people exists in a shared desire to sacrifice and serve humanity.
This is required if America is to have a better, stronger, and brighter future well beyond this century.
