It's 1994. A recent high school graduate, I was destined for greatness as I started a new adventure, a new chapter in life. I stood on the campus of Berry College ready to embrace whatever life had to throw at me..ready to become something great. During our orientation week there was a word that the leaders played back over and over: TNSTAAFL. They would pronounce it, tin-staff-el and it was an acronym for "There's no such thing as a free lunch". Of course the message: If you're gonna come here and go to school, you've got to work for it.
That was the first time I'd ever heard it put like that. I'd been taught growing up that hard work and determination was the only way to accomplish anything. We had not been given much in life, so my parents were very hard workers and passed that on. Ironically, we never really wanted for anything either.
Many times, that word has resounded in my head at times when I encounter people who have never been taught this concept. There is such a selfish mentality in this country. An attitude of "I'm gonna get mine." That of course is not referring to them working to get theirs, but rather they be given their fair share. Our government is fostering this mentality through bailouts and health care bills. To some, these opportunities look like shiny new quarters on the sidewalk, just calling out to be picked up. But one thing they don't think about is TNSTAAFL. Nothing is ever free.
We walk around this country, dressed how we want, speaking however we feel. We can express our opinions without persecution, we can be what we want to be without fear and we can reach whatever heights our determination will let us. We can worship God or buddha or allah or the sun or the devil. It's what we refer to as a "free" country. But remember, nothing is free.
Today is July 4, 2012. Today we celebrate our nation's birthday. In 1776, a group of people executed what was the culmination of many people's hard work. The foundation, the structure that has lasted 236 years and formed the basis that has continued to make this country great. It is sacrifice of our soldiers that protects that freedom and ensures that no terrorist or other world faction will take away those freedoms...because as the saying goes, even freedom, isn't free.
3 comments:
Beautifully said. :)
Very good!
Your convictions are loud and clear. Thank You
It’s great to know that the idea of achievement through hard work is well spread in the world. :-) I only wish that people would believe that dreams do come through when you help them, and that they don’t when you sit an do nothing. Have a wonderful day! (Greetings from Poland!)
Post a Comment