Volume 6, Issue 48
It is at Thanksgiving that we should be cognizant of this eternal essence in our lives.
This year I have traveled to five foreign countries in different regions of the world. I continue to marvel at other people’s recognition of Americans’ blessings. It is not our material wealth. It is not our diverse entertainment. It is not our security. It is our freedom. Citizens of other nations are naturally drawn to their own culture. They are proud of their national history. And they are anticipatory in their hope and expectation that their sovereign country can help make the world a better place. Yet, the allure of the openness of our society is fundamental to all people.
Citizens of other countries seek and aspire to the unrestricted opportunity afforded Americans. It’s not that they want to be Americans, but they want to be better themselves. And they instinctively feel that the values presented and protected by Americans are the core values that allow every person to thrive.
The most impressive finding among all countries of the world is that a non-American foreigner may disagree with specific American government foreign policy decisions, but very few such citizens fear American influence in the world.
In other words, of all the conflicts in the world that appear intractable, the world trusts the United States to be the ultimate arbiter in spiritual world values.
Why?
Because they believe that a country which holds the beatitude of freedom above all other blessings, as a government-delivered objective, cannot truly respect freedom unless that freedom belongs to the entire world.
At this time of Thanksgiving, it is most important to reflect upon the indisputable fact that all peoples of the world are of one race, the human race. We are people of the world who occupy the same real estate. In past history, such circumstances and cultural disputes have led to war. We have learned that war never solves the problem; it only exacerbates the underlying tensions. At least for this weekend of Thanksgiving, think about that for which you are thankful, and that for which you are hopeful will be a blessing for all citizens of the world.
Take time to breathe in the unrestricted opportunity for the American pursuit of happiness. Take stock of those who sacrificed before you. Take confidence in the promise of e pluribus unum.
Meditate over the beatitude for which you are most grateful. Remember that all rights are unalienable as granted by God.
This Thanksgiving, like most Americans, I am thankful for my faith, my family, my friends, and for what my country provides that is the envy, spiritually, of the world, Freedom.
It is this freedom that is my Thanksgiving Beatitude.
May you be blessed in that for which you are most thankful.
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?