The American Flag stands for an ideal, not for the people of the land that it flies over. I believe in the American ideal, and I love this Country, and I would give everything I own for its success. 51% of the people that inhabit this Country may not agree with that, but I don't need them to. If I only had a 1% chance to save the American ideal, I would fight for it - because a chance is a chance.Tonight as i sit here in a quite house i thought of this thread, the emotions and thoughts that went into each post. My house is quiet because the children and Mrs.TCB are asleep. Safe and secure by the blessings of liberty, and no shortage of good fortune. As i sit here i can see the lit up tree adorned with ornaments and gifts, our copy of the Declaration of Independence and off in the distant shadows the dream that was America. Since Friday and i first heard the news of the terrible tragedy in CT i have wept. For the families and the tiny lives so full of hope that are gone. Sometimes for a specific person or story, other times for no reason at all. Most of all now, for my country and her people with the turmoil ahead. For on Friday 12/14 our nation rotated even further than i could imagine. People on all sides of the paradigm dug in, "for hell or high water" to advance their cause.
I am reminded of Col. Cooper “The will to survive is not as important as the will to prevail... " and prevail we must. Starting today I am looking at the entire structure and "influence" I may have as a father, husband, friend and entrepreneur. I am personally making a change, a change to try and influence others to stand up, take charge and effect positive change in the world. Words are important to me and over the past year I have struggled to put a name on that feeling...for whatever reason I chose not to notice it already had one. (Several actually) Loyalty, honesty and bravery were the basis for Bushido hundreds of years ago...today that word could be "Sheepdog." This past year i have made a huge gain on the path to those virtues, (in no small part thanks to this board and several of its members) but my journey is far from over.
To those of you that agree with me I ask 2 things:
1) Improve yourself, only though personal growth can you help others.
2) Stay positive and on track. The country may never get to your ideal, but maybe that is the point.
"Give us clear vision, that we may know where to stand and what to stand for - because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything."Tonight will be a change for me and my focus, and i hope several others join me for the ride.
~ Peter Marshall, US Senate Chaplain 1947
Original post HERE
