Impressions 2011 - Dream
*This post is my impression for the year 2011
Immigrants fled to the United States of America for “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” I love the simplicity of these founding principles as outlined in the Declaration of Independence! Sadly, in our lives, as in politics, we frequently fail to honor these timeless guidelines. Instead of liberty we enforce more rules and instead of happiness we pursue hatred. We highlight differences rather than focus on a common ground.
In reality, whether you live in the United States by birth or you live in the United States because you had a dream, we all have something in common. We share these basic principles.
In my line of business we spend a lot of time breaking down complex problems into smaller pieces that are easier to understand or as Hans Hofmann more eloquently describes: “… to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”
These founding principles do just that, as Kathy L. Casper so beautifully re-frames: “… the pursuit of happiness is a journey we take from within; liberty is the freedom we allow ourselves; and life is the vessel which carries both our happiness and our freedom.”
As I kick off the New Year with my citizenship oath ceremony on January 13th, I encourage you to join me in renewing your vows to your country and to yourselves. Oh and if you think you are off the hook because you were neither born nor live in the United States, think again. Many of the founding principles across the globe have similar guidelines.
Read prior impressions…
Impressions 2010 - Penguin
Impressions 2009 - Smile
Impressions 2008 - Fun
Impressions 2007 - Inspiration
Impressions 2006 - Magic
Impressions 2005 - Love
Impressions 2004 - Influence
