—
The question “Can I have a bite?” is frequently asked of me. Not that I wouldn’t share, quite the contrary, I believe that all the food on a table is fair game. My standard reply is, “Of course, this is America we have more of everything. We can always order more” I truly believe that and it starts at the table and truthfully as an attitude it extends to just about everything.
We live in a profoundly abundant and rich society. It’s been estimated that 40% of the food production in our country ends up in landfills. And yet we still have a population that is 2/3rd overweight or obese.
That same level of abundance applies to potential as well. Americans have the highest level of average potential on the planet. We are not limited by our caste, our geography or our access to information.
The only thing that holds an American back is their own belief system, and how they act upon it. Every child is provided access to a school. Some are great schools with amazing teachers, some are piss-poor with underfunded facilities and staff, but in either case, the student is given access to the basics.
But what does that get us? It gets us the ability to pull ourselves up with hard work, dedication and most importantly a “can do” attitude. Every student may not be able to afford college, but everyone can afford a library card and in the library is where the books and the learning are free. Many libraries have computers available to the public for free, and classes on software.
If an American can’t afford a college degree, they can still get more education, for free, than most of the world. Education means opportunity. Opportunity means greater individual prosperity.
All that is required for a library card, which technically you don’t need if you want to read IN the library, is an ID card. So for free, anyone can have access to books and an education to better their lot in life.
In America, we have more of everything. The only question is what do you want more of? And what are you willing to do to get it? If you want a better paying job, read trade manuals, not comic books (unless you’re trying to be a comic book illustrator or writer!) If you want to start your own company, read books on entrepreneurship and boring subjects like bookkeeping and how to read a financial statement.
I am always amazed when I first start working with a new client, I ask how much time a day do they read, and what are they reading? Usually the response is “Nothing.” or maybe it’s 10 minutes and the Sports Section. If people read a book instead of the Sports Section, at 10 minutes a day, they’d be done with an average 250 page book in about two months, maybe three, that would be 4-6 books a year. At that rate, they’d have increased their knowledge and made themselves more valuable to their employer and probably find they were on the promotion track.
When we make ourselves more valuable, the opportunities will find us. In my America, there is no shortage of opportunities for those who want to take a seat at the table, grab a fork and try a few new things. Some are good, some are gross, and some are just meh. But the thing is this, in America, we have more of all of everything, so grab what you like and go get more of it.
—
—
Photo Credit: Getty Images