Giving a Selfish Thanks

As I give thanks this holiday for what I have, I give special thanks for the spin Freedom places upon my life and how I think about what I do.

To explain better what I mean by “spin”, let me quote William Bradford the first governor of the Pilgrims at Plymouth.

"And so assigned to every family a parcel of land, according to the proportion of their number for that end . . . This had a very good success; for it made all hands very industrious, so as much more corn was planted then otherwise would have been by any means the Governor or any other could use, and saved him a great deal of trouble, and gave far better content. The women now went willingly into the field, and took their little-ones with them to set corn, which before would a ledge weakness, and inability; whom to have compelled would have been thought great tyranny and oppression."
He hit the nail on the head. The spin Freedom gives to work is extraordinary. If what I make is my own to do with as I will, not only will I work harder to produce more, but will be more likely when giving some of it up to make sure it is used wisely.

Also do not make the assumption then that the spin is all in your head. The simple idea that the control over our own life is in our hands is a powerful inducement to do well. When there is no middle man to blame for our failure, there is no buffer between the cause and effect of what we do. We are forced to become responsible for our actions or perish. Victimhood becomes leverage to work harder, smarter, to do more; not to us victimhood as leverage to do less and force others to do more for us.

Bradford went on to write about the end result of this test of the use of personal property.

"By this time harvest was come, and instead of famine, now God gave them plenty, and the face of things was changed, to the rejoicing of the hearts of many, for which they blessed God. And the effect of their planting was well seen, for all had, one way or other, pretty well to bring the year about, and some of the abler sort and more industrious had to spare, and sell to others, so as any general want or famine hath not been amongst them since to this day."
I am selfish this Thanksgiving day and in my pride over all that I have I will find some to give to others with the selfish admonition of “There but for the Grace of God” go I. With this selfishness founded in faith as Governor Bradford said about Plymouth back in his day; I say in mine. “…general want or famine hath not been amongst them [or me] since to this day.”

Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative

As a special gift. click the link below and read Lincoln's eloquent proclomation for a National Thanksgiving. He gave thanks to be alive, the union intact, industry and our lively hood intact but above all else -- Thanks to God.

Keep in mind that without founding our selfishness in Godly principles we now have along with Thanksgiving - Black Friday and along with Christmas - the day after. Now read Lincoln's speech while keeping in mind pictures of people being trampled on Black Friday.

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http://www.classicallibrary.org/lincoln/thanksgiving.htm
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