With Independence Day in the rearview mirror, it seems like we have already stopped remembering America’s 250th birthday. It reminds me of Christmas. We celebrate leading up to December 25th, everyone is happy and kind up to Christmas Day, then reality returns.
In A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge learns to “keep Christmas in his heart year around.” As Christians, we strive to do the same. Christmas celebrates the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, so we better remember it, right?
By no means is America’s birthday as important as Christmas, but I do think there’s room for a little patriotism in our heart year around. We are part of the “melting pot” of races and cultures that created one of the greatest countries in the history of the world.
I want to keep the American 250 celebration going, so let’s talk about some of my American role models.
What makes a role model? Do we admire them because of wealth only or is there something more? How often do we seek advice from people just because we know they are wealthy?
Recently, I read a book called The Vegan, which brought these questions to light. The protagonist complained that his clients may be wealthy, but money sure didn’t make them intelligent. Yes, intelligence can create wealth, but wealth doesn’t make someone an expert in all subjects.
I didn’t really like the book, but that part was great. We all need help at some point. True role models have the courage to ask for and accept help when needed.
Many of my role models are dead, but their biographies give fairly detailed pictures of their life story. It’s amazing how much they were able to accomplish without the technology we have today. Their stories show them overcoming adversity as they pursue their dreams.
Two of my American role models are founding fathers.
George Washington and Ben Franklin had different roles in our American history, but I believe we wouldn’t be here without them. Considering that only about one-third of colonists actively supported independence during the Revolution, we had to have amazing leaders keeping the colonies together. It would have been easy to give up and continue being ruled by England.
George Washington and Ben Franklin both gave up comfortable lives in order to serve America. Of course, Washington led the continental army, but Franklin was instrumental in getting needed supplies from allies. Their actions made them criminals facing death if we lost the war.
These giants of history were, in fact, just regular men.
Ben Franklin suffered from kidney stones, which are still a plague on humanity to this day. I’ve had them surgically removed by a delicate procedure involving cameras and tools inserted through the urethra. Of course, I was asleep during the surgery.
I was shocked to learn Franklin invented the urinary catheter. Can you imagine the stress and pain he went through while trying to cure his kidney stones? Remember, there were no YouTube videos, and it could take months for experts to receive and reply to your requests for assistance.
I’m glad he went through it though because his invention saved my life. Sure, someone else could’ve invented the catheter
before I needed one. I just think it’s cool that I’m still here in part because of Ben Franklin’s genius.
While history shows George Washington as basically a superhero, it was a surprise to see how shy he was. This man was revered almost like a god by the time he became president, but he was very soft spoken mostly because he was ashamed of his teeth. He was so worried about them that he rarely smiled in public.
We’re all self-conscious about our looks. How many companies advertise miracle cures for wrinkles? We waste hours choosing the perfect filter for our selfies. Social media is blamed for the increase in our vanity, but we were vain 250 years ago too.
Fun fact time! George Washington did NOT have wooden teeth. People actually sold teeth for extra income. Wires were used to create a full set of teeth. Washington carried a little tool kit, often repairing his teeth when he was alone. Even more nauseating, tooth prices varied by the donor’s social class. The fancier the person, the more expensive the tooth.
Chew on that while we talk about two American businessmen who also became my role models.
Walt Disney and P.T. Barnum became business icons with the single purpose of making people happy. Of course, time has tarnished their image, but I can still admire them. Again, biographies help us see the entire story.
For perspective, George Washington would’ve never purchased teeth from Disney or Barnum. However, both were poor enough to try selling their teeth for a meal. That is why I admire them.
Hugh Jackman was excellent as P.T. Barnum in The Greatest Showman. However, one of the most powerful scenes of the movie was in the beginning where a young Barnum helped his father. It showed the poverty which Barnum endured as a child.
I don’t believe Barnum was motivated only by money. He was motivated by a fear of homelessness. The scene in The Greatest Showman was just a peak at what he endured during his childhood.
Even after his fame grew to a level where he had audiences with the Queen of England, he never forgot his roots. No, I don’t agree with how he treated animals (in fairness though he started before there were any standards to follow). However, I love how he brought these experiences to all people.
In addition to the experiences he gave to the audience, he also provided new opportunities for his employees. His critics said he exploited them, but I disagree.
Let’s consider General Tom Thumb.
In the 1800’s people were still hiding family members who were different from the accepted norm or had disabilities. Granted, some of that came from family members trying to protect their loved ones, but it was typically to protect a family’s status. Even in biblical times, it was said that a person’s disability was the result of the family’s past sins.
Fortunately, Jesus came and many of His sermons put a stop to that nonsense. Of course, being the flawed humans that we all are, those ideas can still pop into our minds. To me, Barnum was a pioneer of the Workers with Disabilities movement.
I think it’s all about perspectives. Barnum didn’t exploit General Tom Thumb and other employees; I think he opened the world to them.
Walt Disney doesn’t need a long discussion. Anyone with a pulse should know that name. What we may not know is that, like Barnum, he also grew up in poverty.
He shared a room with his brother to save money while pursuing his dream. They would even share meals in the cafeteria. One would buy meat, while the other purchased a vegetable, then they would carry their dinner up to their room to share.
What about the next 250?
Over my life there have been many opportunities for me to quit. Some days it has been very tempting to accept a life on government assistance, but then I remember my role models. When life got hard, they didn’t quit; they embraced the adversity while focusing on their purpose.
Because I have been inspired by their stories, I want to make sure the future has inspiration as well. What if our story inspires children 250 years in the future? History is lost daily, so I think we have a duty to make history today.
Of course, it’s not easy to chase your dreams and make history if you’re always worrying about money. A financial plan can help. Email me! And God bless the United States of America.
