Memorial Day recently passed while Independence Day is just over the horizon. We have had more than our fair share of turmoil, violence, threats and disappointment from our elected officials and even friends or family. During my military career I learned that we should only stress on items that we have full control... that any other problems are nothing but a distraction from our own success. Easier said than done...but words worth considering.
We learn from failure and challenge...never from success and prosperity so what is the best recourse in a world full of chaos and deception surrounded by despair and heartbreak? I am not sure it is quantifiable...but belief in yourself, belief in your values and a willingness to help your fellow man I believe are a hell of a foundation to build upon.
Sun Tzu once stated, “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity” My hope is that our opportunity is to reach more like-minded Americans and share compassion, empathy, love and understanding...but to also show strength, integrity, decisiveness and dedication to our paths in life.
Lets take this coming year to reflect inward as to our own needs and shortcomings so we can learn and be the light and change the world desperately needs. Whether you do that through meditation, prayer or action....it is your path, your life, your legacy.
The road will be challenging and sometimes even treacherous...it may cause doubt and weakness but press forward, always forward and you will emerge victorious in the end. Another time in my military career, after washing out of a Special Operations course after an injury coupled with self-doubt...I found a quote from Theodore Roosevelt that became my mantra, my manifesto, my reminder to always do my best...always without fail...and good things would come. It is the Man in the Arena speech he gave on one of his trips abroad. A junior officer I worked with in military had a beautiful version done and framed for me upon retirement that hangs in my office still. Words to remember, to embrace, to live by...
Here is an excerpt of that speech, "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." delivered at the Sorbonne, in Paris, France on 23 April, 1910
This Independence Day...remember the sacrifice, the failure, the heartbreak, the never give up attitude of our founders....and how if not for their intestinal fortitude...we would be bowing to the Queen or worse some dictator. Give thanks, give honor, give it your all!
God Bless,
Ron Herman Jr.
VP GotUr6.org