Far too many things are taken for granted, especially by Americans as we journey through this land of plenty. This is a common observance shared by others who come to this country–that Americans in general have more and appreciate it less than inhabitants of any other nation on earth!
We habitually compare ourselves with those who have more and by so doing are always dissatisfied. We also tend to dwell on our weaknesses and shortcomings and especially on those of others, instead of on our strengths, all of which stunts our spiritual and socio-economic growth. We are also guilty of over-emphasizing the differences that divide us and pit us against one another, rather than choosing to place more effort into capitalizing on the far more things we have in common to unite us!
Although fully aware that there is strength in unity and perpetual weakness in division, we still allow our wounded egos, foolish pride, jealousy and envy to rob us of so much that life has to offer us. Given serious thought, any one of us could probably make a laundry list of things we generally take for granted and each would most likely include life, youth, good health, etc. But few indeed may include freedom, feeling restrained too often by too many, from parenthood throughout life’s continuous inevitable disciplinary restrictions–including life itself! Ironically, no matter how many examples we see or hear tell of, we still never seem to fully grasp the importance of our most precious possessions –until we no longer possess them.
For example, the multitude of people of all walks of life currently feeling the adverse affects of “Florence,” throughout the Southeastern part of our nation–and still moving, as well as the forest fires in California and innumerable other examples throughout the nation and beyond!
There are of course those who would argue the degree of freedom enjoyed here but, “Compared to What?” Contrary to what many would have us believe, we in this revered nation (with all of its faults) are free to do, to be or to have anything that we tenaciously pursue! The key word is perseverance, but too few are willing to suffer the setbacks or exert the persistent effort required to succeed. Neither are we willing to voluntarily make the necessary short-term sacrifices–of time, TV or rearrangement of other priorities–to invest in long-term happiness, peace and contentment for ourselves as well as others. Too often we take parents, mates, our children, friends and other special associates in our lives for granted until suddenly, for whatever reason, they are gone and we are left with what has been termed “the saddest words on earth–“If only…”
With our short-sighted horse-sense vision we see neither behind nor in front of us, only what’s on either side–and it being magnified many times, as with the vision of horses. To a horse a gnat appears as big as a bird, and a human even like a mountain! Let us never take for granted the power within us to control our own lives and destiny, but always remember the wisdom of renowned Black educator Benjamin Mays who wrote: “It is not your environment, it is you–the quality of your mind, the integrity of your soul, the determination of your will–that decide your future and shape your life!”
