The Founding Fathers had a clear vision. And it is reflected in the most basic documents that frame this nation.
Every life has value. Your Life. My life. The lives of those we know. And those we don’t know. This truth has become particularly poignant in light of the tragedy last week in Connecticut.
We have been reminded that each life has rock-in-the-pond-potential - and will impact others: For good. Or for not-so-good. Or, unfortunately in some cases, for evil.
Potential, yes. Choices, yes. Impact, absolutely.
So here’s a thought that flows directly from our previous discussion of leadership and moral courage: When we build a society that values life, we breed a culture that exhibits life-long value for individual uniqueness, distinction, opportunity, and potential. On the other hand, when we raise children in a society that doesn’t value every human life…well, young people grow up getting the message: Some life matters; other life is disposable. And our young people make their choices within the value-system of the society in which they have been raised.
It’s not rocket science. It is social science - and that means it will take leadership and moral courage to change the underlying root causes of our present-day headlines. It will take the kind of courage in leadership that values every human life.
And we can start today with those we know and love.
It is particularly true that during the Holidays we are reminded to look at our lives and the lives of those around us and appreciate the value of all that we have been given, especially relationships; people. Each life is a gift. Our own life is a gift. And each life has infinite worth.
I will never forget the first time I held my daughter in my arms after she was born. I saw the value of life in a whole new way. Everything took on new meaning. And new responsibility. And endless opportunities.
I’m still not over that first experience.
And I don’t want to be.
I am blown away by the wonder of it all.
And I will never forget the first Christmas at seventeen years of age when for the first time I understood the meaning of the Life that was born on Christmas Day. Everything took on new meaning. And new responsibility. And endless opportunities.
I’m still not over that either.
And I don’t want to be.
I am blown away by the wonder of it all.
Indeed, the message is simple. The value of Life. Your life. My life. Every life. The One Life.
May we each embrace the wonder of it all...and find the courage to lead accordingly.
Merry Christmas!
To each one of you.