The Fourth of July has come and gone. I hope people celebrated the high ideals of this nation joyfully and safely while keeping their eyes on the past, present, and the future. Here are two thoughts from Abraham Lincoln regarding the Fourth and the day’s meaning.
Frustrated Abe
In a personal letter dated August 15, 1855 Lincoln released some frustration: “When we were the political slaves of King George, and wanted to be free, we called the maxim that ‘all men are created equal” a self evident truth; but now when we have grown fat , and have lost all dread of being slaves ourselves, we have become so greedy to be masters that we call the same maxim “a self evident lie.” The fourth of July has not quite dwindled away; it is still a great day – for burning fire crackers!!!”
Ouch. Not exactly a quote for a banner celebrating the national holiday! I do, however, find it gratifying that Lincoln, like all of us, had these thoughts and moments. Generally speaking you don’t the dismissive unless you care. Apathy is not the furnace of frustartion, love and dedication is. The next quote reveals the idealism that flow beneath Lincoln’s frustration.
Idealistic Abe
In a speech presented in Springfield, Illinois on June 26, 1857 Lincoln succinctly summarized the power of the Declaration of Independence: “They (the signers of the Declaration) meant to set up a standard maxim for a free society, which should be familiar to all, and revered by all, constantly looked to, constantly labored for, and even though never perfectly attained, constantly approximated, and thereby constantly spreading and deepening its influence, and augmenting the happiness and value of life to all people of all colors everywhere…”
I do hope you enjoyed the Fourth…but can we also take a moment during the day to draw a deep breath and remember the ideals that lead to the creation of the holiday? Let us recommit to “laboring” as a nation to make sure all feel the power of those ideals. Let the ideals deepen – in both our own hearts and in our communities – so their influence can spread readily, allowing us to move forward together in our efforts to attain them…even if the work proves daunting and difficult.
Final Reflection
The direction of a nation often feels well beyond our sphere of influence. Therefore, I also hope we can learn a more personal lesson from Lincoln. How often do you feel guilty becuase you express frustration with a child, friend or partner? Perhaps that frustration came from a place of love and idealism. Remembering that may allow for a conversation that allows for increases happiness and reaffirms the importance of our deepest relatinships. It may also allow you to forgive yourself when frustration blinds us to the love we feel.
The same phenomenon can take place in our professional lives. As a teacher I’ve definitely heard multiple administrators admonish frustrated words from teachers as nothing more than “complaints” and “whining.” The number of times I’ve heard the story of a colleage being asked what educational ideals they feel have been forgotten or how the dismissing of those ideals tore at their hearts is far less.
There is so much noise in the world. The thunderous crack of “burning fire crackers.” Perhaps now is the time to slow down certain conversations so we can consciously and contientiouly strive for the “augmenting the happiness and value of life” for everyone.
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