A week ago, we celebrated the birth of the United States of America. I believe that the anniversary of the day we were born is a great time to reflect on where we are in our lives. And so, the 248th birthday of the US of A is an opportunity to set aside time for quiet reflection. The 4th of July is not just about festivities and fireworks. We must not forget why we celebrate and embrace the spirit of the 4th as a symbol of the nation’s independence, freedom, and democratic values.
A lot of questions and emotions go with the celebration of nationhood. Is the country still the “Land of the Free” when it has high rates of incarceration? Is it still the “Land of Opportunities” when it has high rates of homelessness? Is it still the “Home of the Brave” when 2024 was dubbed the “Year of the Cowards?” At such difficult times, when we need heroes, we are getting feckless leaders, who are failing the most basic responsibilities, across the board - in academia, business, and government.
I’d still argue that despite the many problems this great nation is currently facing, liberty, justice, and innovation pulse through America’s vast landscapes. Yes, things are far from great. We, the people of this great nation, are asked to choose between a nearly 82-year-old frail elder and a 78-year-old convicted felon. What company would hire either presidential candidate to run the business? Why can’t we do better than these two?
So, this year, I celebrated the 4th of July with a tinge of sadness but comforted myself with a dose of optimism. First, it’s about gratitude for the privilege of having choices, even when presented with bad options. Many people don’t have the freedom of choice living under oppressive conditions or tyrannical regimes. Then, it’s about honoring the freedom to choose by making deliberate decisions rather than living by default, refusing to guide action with a proactive mindset. The bottom line is that no decision is a decision, and inaction is also an action. Whether we act, or avoid action, we are accountable. We always have options in life, but they are very rarely perfect. The essence of our journey is to navigate flawed paths. Yet, between the imperfect choices, we can find abundance.
Accepting responsibility for our choices is a superpower through good times and bad. Taking personal responsibility allows us to exercise true freedom. As the word suggests, it requires “response ability,” the agency to choose our response in every situation. Being “the CEO of your life” is a powerful idea that really struck a chord with me. It resonates deeply in difficult times when I have to remind myself that I have the ability to make decisions in every area of my life. I have full power to be the leader I wish I had and become the change I want to see in the world. And I choose to lead my life with an abundance mindset. There are always things I can do to enrich my life and the lives of others.
It starts with 3 basic questions:
#1 How am I contributing to the problem?
#2 What can I do differently, starting now?
#3 If not now, when?
A couple decades ago, I relocated to the land of opportunity. I arrived at the Golden State with empty pockets but full of dreams. I came in pursuit of new adventures and opportunities. I am forever grateful for the wonderful life and community that I’ve built here. I greatly appreciate being able to continuously learn and grow, personally and professionally. To me, being an American goes beyond a place of birth or identifying documents. It is about commitment to the values that are the foundations of American democracy, democratic ideals.
We can only remain the land of the free if we also continue to be the home of the brave by viewing the world as abundant. It is our fear of scarcity that leads us to cling to things and ideas that don’t work anymore, to prejudiced and discriminatory viewpoints. When we stop worrying about grievances and start focusing on solutions going forward, we open up our world to possibilities. Being free means it is a duty and privilege to be actively involved in building the world we wish to have, a world of open doors, open hearts, and helping hands.
The 4 principles of building a life with an abundant mindset:
#1 Thinking big: an abundant mind sees the bigger picture and recognizes possibilities and opportunities.
#2 Being Content: an abundant mind appreciates what is and counts the blessing.
#3 Living Enthusiastically: an abundant mind is an optimist and creates positive personal impact.
#4 Embracing Change: an abundant mind is quick to learn, adapt, grow and thrive.
Living with an abundant mindset, we can make our world bigger, more connected, kinder, and more inclusive. May we be brave enough to exercise our freedom and use it as an opportunity to do what is right within the community in which we live and work and as global citizens of the whole wide world.
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