Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

Life, liberty, & the pursuit of happiness are just seven simple words. In context, the United States Declaration of Independence reads: We hold these Truths to be self evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

If these are rights then with rights come responsibilities. What are we responsible for in respect to these three rights? Well, if you are reading this you are alive, a living being. Did our forefathers just simply mean we have the right to be alive? Now you right to life people be quiet this is not about that issue. Most of you have heard or used the phrase "Get a life." We are already alive so to get a life we must do something and that something is live. Not just live but live life to its fullest. Some say "Don't settle for second best." But what about all the people who, for all their trying, still find themselves in second place. You may be one of them. If you are not the eldest sibling you started out second in line. If you are not the top expert in your field you are "second best". So how does a second best person live life to its fullest? Here is where I depart from the patronizing "Just as long as you did your best" prattle.

Thinking about the numbers 1 and 2 and picturing what they could represent. Number 1 by its self in counting represents a small value but line up any other number right behind it such as ,12 , and presto you have tweleve. it More then ten fold in value. If representing money I would much rather have $2 then just $1. What if you are one of those zeros in life. You are last at pretty much everything. Youngest child, not one of the beautiful people, no athletic ability, a high C to low B average student, your only natural talent seems to be tripping over shadows or walking into doors and to top it off you are one of a long line of zeros in your family.. Before you go get all depressed just think about the numbers again. Zeros, 000000, .are not lacking in value. Just place a 1 in front of any number of zeros. The longer the line of zeros after the 1 the larger the value. For each zero you add the number grows by 10 fold. Or just drop a zero and you have just 10% Wow! So for all you that feel you keep coming up short you add more value to life in general then any ole number 1. So live and Live like you mean it!

Liberty, the freedom to choose. So you have the responsibility to make your own choices. Don't let others make choices for you when it comes to living your life. Now for the liberals who are about to start cheering settle down. Not everyone makes wise and responsible choices so we do have some limitations called laws and rules. They are in place for the safety and protection of all including those who make irresponsible choices. If your choice will hinder others liberty then think and choose carefully, you would want them to do the same for you. We have the liberty to choose our elected officials. If you don't vote then you don't have the right to complain. OK OK small civics lesson here. But it goes beyond the voting thing. Don't let others choose your hopes and dreams. Don't just follow the status quo and be something just because everyone else in your family was the same thing for 10 generations. Even if they were all doctors or successful businessmen. Make it your choice to do so if you want to follow in their footsteps. Don't be afraid to make choices. If it is something that won't matter in five years or doesn't involve a life or death issue make a choice. If it turns out to be the wrong choice you are free to change your mind and choose something else. That is the nature of Liberty. Be a doer not a watcher.

Pursuit of Happiness. This is where you need to put your track shoes on. Nobody but you is responsible for your happiness. Go find it, code three pursuit, chase after it, pursue it as you would peruse a mate. Be on your best behavior, display your best chaircter values, make time for happiness and make room for happiness in your life. Keep the chase fresh by doing something spontaneous. Take a break from the work, home work home, party on weekend. If your life is too busy then rethink your priorities. Don't wait for your dream home, retirement, or finances to improve. If you are lacking friends and social contacts then join a service club, volunteer, or join a cause. You don't have to campaign for "green laws" or chain yourself to a tree but find something that is tangible in your community. Something that adds to the quality of life around you. Not only will you gain friends and social contacts but you will gain a sense of fulfillment that no person or material thing can match. Give chase and never give up.

If you like this take on Life, Liberty, & the pursuit of Happiness then share it with others. If not then Go get a Life! :-)