So…how was your holiday? I know it’s a week gone by, but we haven’t spoken or seen much of each other in the interim. So, much like a tomato in a foot race, let’s “ketchup!”
Did you enjoy some well-deserved time off? Sleep in and pretend it was a retirement test drive? For those of you who got none (time-off or sleep)- my sincerest sympathies. Did you gather with family and or friends in the sweltering heat to set off explosives and cook dead animal parts over an open flame? Why in holy funoodle do we celebrate with fire at the hottest time of year? Christmas barbecues?
More important than our temperately ill-timed celebrations, did you acknowledge your independence? Or are you in a co-dependent relationship? Or maybe still live with your folks? There is life and hope beyond the basement and being a stocker at the Walmart.
Actually, your living arrangements have little or nothing to do with your independence. In the sense of the day of which we celebrate it. Now there’s confusion for ya.
For those historically un-woke- Independence Day, a.k.a. the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the U.S. that commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America.
This was when our country was born. With the Declaration of Independence serving as official documentation and as a nation-wide birthday card. Signed by our forefathers but minus the $20 folded up inside.
Now we could spend the next few weeks of continued articles discussing all the rights and wrongs of this document. But that would be a boring suck and I do not care enough to do so. However, to commemorate this historical occasion we will focus on one line….
“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.” Quoted from the Declaration of Independence circa 1776.
This phrase is not legally binding. But it gives three examples of the unalienable rights which the Declaration says have been given to all humans by their Creator. And which governments are created to protect. Thank you, Wikipedia, for summing that up!
So… is it working, is it true? Do you feel well endowed? (Get your mind out of the gutter!) Do you feel right? Or is it all alienable? Let’s break these three rights (which makes a left) right down from the rightful beginning and when we reach the righteous end, we’ll stop being right. Right!
Life: Now this does not imply that you are guaranteed to have a life- that’s all on you. But rather the right to be alive. Since you are reading this, we can only assume you’re alive. If not… then thanks for your patronage in the afterlife.
Liberty: Is defined as being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior, or political views. Thus you cannot be imprisoned or detained by those in authority without good reason. So, if you are currently in prison, for a crime you didn’t commit, then you are being violated… your rights amongst other things.
The Pursuit of Happiness: Ah and now the title makes sense. When considering this “right” the image from the old School House Rock PSA comes to mind. That of a grinning Washington era man with a powder-wig, chasing a giggling powder-wigged girl in a bustle dress. So, by this depiction, rightful “happiness” equates nookie to all? If only it were that simple.
Of these 3 the happiness quest is the most confounding. Simply because “happy” is different for everyone and defined per individual. But one’s own happiness contends with not imposing on the happiness of others. So, if everyone isn’t happy then no one has the right to be?
Not necessarily, but perhaps considering the happiness of others before our selves would lead to a more rightful happiness. Ignorance may be bliss, but we shouldn’t be so stupid as to not realize the impact of our happy on the world around us. Continue the pursuit, catch it if you can and be kind and courteous to those that get in your way along the way.
I welcome almost questions, comments via Focus, or E-mail me at [email protected]. Hope to hear from ya, until then try and stay focused! See ya.
