The Pursuit

Say what you will about our founding fathers and their philosophy but there was one thing that I believe Thomas Jefferson had right when he penned the Declaration of Independence. He wrote, and I quote, "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."

"...the pursuit of happiness"? He said it. "Pursuit". He did not say the achievement of our happiness.

Think on that for just a moment. He basically says no matter what happens, everyone has a right to their life and their liberty. We get it, he helped design a free country. He also said we have the right to pursue our own happiness though, as if it will take work to get there. I believe his wording to be of a purposeful and profound impact.

We are charged with the responsibility of our own happiness, not the guarantee of which. We all must reach within and discover that which our passions pour over. We must find what assignment brings the most happiness to our hearts. This is our trial and our option to continue to error within, until we correct it or submit to it.

To the masses that feel life is unfair or that feel something is owed to you based solely on the principal you exist; it does not. This life owes you nothing. Your circumstances, no matter how adverse, are required to yield nothing to you. Your situation, no matter how seemingly awful, does not subjugate a return. Everything you receive in this life must be paid for with your effort. Everyone would do well to recognize and understand this principal.

Why? What does that effort bring? I'll tell you. When you work towards something, when you shun a negative attitude about adversity and when you focus on what you can actually accomplish, you ultimately find success. Within that, a lesson is learned. You possibly paid blood, sweat and/or tears to perpetuate what you now have. Nothing less than effort, failure then eventual success can bring you this lesson. It is essential for everyone to understand this lesson because without it, we all stand around with our hands out, asking for what we think we are owed.

Do not stand and think you deserve something, stand and deliver what is required to yield that which you want. What is ironic is that Isaac Newton has already explained in physics what applies in social science. An object in motion tends to stay in motion and an object at rest tends to stay at rest. Apply that to your life. If you want to stand around and demand what you think you deserve, when an opportunity strikes, you'll probably continue to stand and do nothing. However, if you move after that which you want, when an opportunity strikes then you move that much faster towards it.

Jefferson tees up the concept and Newton sends it reeling, pun intended. Move forward and make motion, do not create commotion. Jefferson tells you to be free and make pursuit, Newton tells you when you move to pursue, naturally nothing wants to stop you.

Some of the most sound foundations on Earth are made from steel. Remember, so are wrecking balls.