I was recently in Washington DC and got to visit, among many splendid places, the Jefferson Memorial. Emblazoned on the wall to the right of Jefferson’s statue was a magnificent piece of prose he wrote in a letter to Samuel Kercheval. I found it particularly moving:
“I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths are discovered and manners and opinions change. With the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.”
Though this was written in 1816, its message is timeless, no? It caused me to not only hold this as a measuring stick for global issues, but to take inventory of myself and see where I have been resistant to change; where I am stuck in a comfort zone. Sometimes we forget that change can be GOOD…it can be freeing, empowering, and even fun.
Are you still trying to squeeze into “a child’s coat?” Have you been “barbarous” with yourself? With your loved ones? With your business? With your world views? Where can you expand and create new laws for your life?
As Jack Welch says: “Change before you have to.” And I say: “Change is inevitable. Either accept it or effect it.”
serendipity hopeful
Change is inevitable, but in effecting change hope Americans will consider what I see is the danger.
smellytourist
The Founders, including Jefferson, had principles of freedom and patriotism. I think the new president’s shady associations and dedication to growing governments would have appalled America’s third president.