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Thought's on Columbus Day
Today, is Columbus Day in the U.S. where the explorer, Christopher Columbus, is celebrated as having “found” the Western Hemisphere. While there are plenty of serious debates of Columbus’ nationality and intention, and many legitimate discussions describing the cruelty that occurred to the Native American Indians, I would like to focus this piece on reviewing Then and Now -- a snapshot for us to evaluate and appreciate our lives of today.

Imagine yourself in Europe at the end of the 15th century. Most of Europe was coming out of the “Dark Ages”, a thousand year period of political, social, religious and societal stagnation. Thought was controlled by the few who could read, and few books even existed, as the printing press had just come on the scene. People rarely moved, and usually were born, lived and died in the same unsanitary house in the same town. Life expectancy was usually under 40 years old, plagues and disease were common-place, clean water often limited, plumbing non-existent, candles used for lighting, and contact with the outside world was extremely limited. On the political scene, monarchies with landed ruling classes were the norm with effectively minimal or no voice for the average person.

Now fast forward to the 21st century. While we are quite far from achieving perfection (which doesn’t really exist), let’s review our lives now – especially in the past decade. We now have more information at our fingertips that we could read in 1000 lifetimes. Even totalitarian governments can’t really control everyone anymore with the advent of the internet. Politically, the world is a much freer place than it ever has been with more people from more countries having a say in how they are governed. With few exceptions (Iran, North Korea, etc), even the more authoritarian places have mellowed and become more inclusive. Now look at your daily life. Most Americans (and Europeans) have homes which are heated and cooled, with multiple indoor bathrooms, clean running water, powered by electrical systems people barely comprehend, and supplied with food bought rather than raised or grown. Health and long lives are the norm, rather than the exception, and inexpensive flights and mobile phones have people traveling and communicating to the entire world.

None of this suggests that we don’t have a tremendous amount to improve on and fix – on all levels. It is just a good time to sit back, take stock at a global level and to appreciate and to thank God where we are. And if you are working hard at fixing things or fighting injustices, be thankful that you live at a time when an individual can make a difference and have a voice that can be heard.

Every day, we focus on the small things in life. Just for a minute, focus on the big picture – and say, "Thanks." Now go back out and fix the world.

I received this in my e-mail today and thought it very appropriate to post.

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