Sometimes, I think we have lost our real American Dream. Our substitute vision is the television commercial stating the American Dream these days is a few kids, and a white picket fence in Suburbia. Of course the speaker goes on to discredit this idea, and empowers us, but we need more voices in the choir to make a difference.
Back in the sixties John F. Kennedy, encouraged us with this quote during his inauguration address:
And so, my fellow americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
John F. Kennedy, Inaugural address, January 20, 1961
35th president of US 1961-1963 (1917 - 1963)
We have done a lot since the sixties, most of it in line with the vision the Kennedy era left us. As with all good things there are a few things we do these days that I do not think are part of the American Dream. I think we have left behind parts of the American Dream. We have turned the American Dream into a few kids, a house, a steel, barbed wire topped fence, and isolation.
Humanity and compassion seem to be left somewhere along the roadside between the sixties and now. Even our own personal enjoyment of life seems to have diminished. We have lost the vision of neighbor, city, state, and country to a large extent. We are spending too much time in personal cocoons where we participate but we do not share. And then we wonder why we are some of the loneliest people on the earth today.
It is believed that President Kennedy took inspiration and maybe a little liberty with his quote from a gentleman of a generation before him. The man who Kennedy is thought to be loosely quoting is Dr. Howard Thurman. Dr. Thurman was a world traveller, meeting with many great leaders of his day. Dr. Thurman was a prolific author, and a human rights activist as well.
I would like to see more people like Dr. Thurman about in our world today. Perhaps someone like Dr. Thurman would teach us once again the importance of a balanced life. How to have respect, and compassion for others in our world. Maybe Dr. Thurman would show us how to practice what we hear in our churches weekly, and from the mouths of our leaders when desire is not the pressing issue.
I think what parents living anywhere in the United States today wants for their present, future, and their children’s future is the same across our country, and probably the world. The opportunity to live in peace, and pursue whatever future we may individually dream.
The original quote that President Kennedy was thought to have modified in his speech is this:
Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive… then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
- Howard Thurman 1900 - 1981
How great life would be if people of the world came alive! If we would stop and think our own thoughts, instead thoughts fed to us daily - thoughts intending to create fear and uncertainty. I think most of us would be surprised at what we, not the controlling influences surrounding us, think are important.
Dr. Thurman had another quote that I think is appropriate for this time of year. Dr. Thurman’s quote sure does read like the American Dream wrapped up in the Christmas spirit. My wish for you is you enjoy experiencing some of Dr Thurman’s quote over the next few weeks!
“When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among others, To make music in the heart.”
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