Stop Complaining

While watching the 1^st episode of America, the Story of Us, and I found myself inspired to write today’s Monday Morning Motivational Minute.

As a student of history, nothing in the program was unfamiliar to me but it was humbling never the less.  The men and women throughout our history who were responsible for the very existence of our country suffered.  Nothing they gave us was gained easily.  The legacy they left us was paid for with blood, sweat, tears, suffering, sacrifice, hope, courage and death.

We have become the richest nation on earth and have largely forgotten what true suffering really is.  Yet somehow, we have the audacity to complain about things.  We shouldn’t complain about anything yet we complain about almost everything.  I feel as though I should be ashamed of myself because I’m no different than anyone else in this respect.  I can talk myself into some measure of consolation in that I do not complain as much as others but nevertheless, I do so far more often than I should.

What do we really understand about ourselves as a nation?  How many of us have actually read the Declaration of Independence?  Honestly, I don’t recall that I have. The guy from the Philippines taking a citizenship class has probably read more of it than I have.

“We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Our country provides for our life and our liberty but happiness is for us to achieve on our own.  The Declaration of Independence did not demand that we all be happy.  It demanded that we all be free to pursue happiness.  I believe the best way we can honor the sacrifice of our founding ancestors and anyone who has ever sacrificed for this country is to exercise the very right they fought to provide us.

Far too many Americans do not truly appreciate this hard earned gift. It must be so because antidepressants are the single most prescribed drug in America.  Studies have consistently shown that happy people are healthier and live longer than unhappy people. Pursue happiness. Not only is it your constitutional right and obligation as an American, being happy is just more fun.

So today’s Monday Morning Motivational Minute message is very simply to “Be Happy” and if you can’t be happy just keep trying. 

"Remember that you are only young once but you can remain immature indefinitely."  –Mark Twain

Be inspired and have a great week.