Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Giving thanks for all we have

Now that the presidential election is over, we can now concentrate on the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, a time for giving thanks for all that is good in our lives.

Thanksgiving is also a good time to post Norman Rockwell’s series The Four Freedoms, inspired by Franklin Roosevelt’s speech to congress in January of 1941, and published in the Saturday Evening Post in 1943.

"In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms."

"The first is freedom of speech and expression -- everywhere in the world."

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way -- everywhere in the world."

FREEDOM OF WORSHIP

"The third is freedom from want -- which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants -- everywhere in the world."

FREEDOM FROM WANT

"The fourth is freedom from fear -- which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor -- anywhere in the world"

FREEDOM FROM FEAR

Our nation and the world at large would be a better place to live in if President-elect Barack Obama and the members of Congress would do all in their power to ensure these four freedoms are guaranteed to everyone -- everywhere in the world.

"In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms."
-- Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1941

Labels: , ,

5 Comments:

At November 12, 2008 7:38 PM, Blogger MrsGreenThumb said...

From your mouth to G-d's ears, as the saying goes. Too often we dwell on what we want rather than on what we have. I hope all people will have these 4 freedoms. To help others, in my small way, I donate to Heifer International which gives animals to poor families all over the world to help them be self-reliant. They are trained to care for the animals and they must give the first offspring to another family to help raise their standard of living. As we approach our Thanksgiving, we should consider sharing with others who are in need. www.heifer.org is their web address. Last year my grandchildren each picked animals that they gave instead of presents from Grandma and Grandpa. It's never too early to teach our kids about charity and this is a wonderful life changing way to do that. I think it makes us all feel like we're doing the right thing.

 
At November 12, 2008 10:55 PM, Blogger Jellyhead said...

Wow, Motherkitty, this post was an education. I never knew about these 'four freedoms'. They sound like the fundamentals for a happy life.

It's great you are back blogging again. I missed you!

 
At November 13, 2008 6:09 AM, Blogger Susan Tidwell said...

Great post! Love Norman Rockwell's work, so real.

Thanks for the reminders of these essential freedoms. Have a great day!

 
At November 13, 2008 5:19 PM, Blogger Alipurr said...

well, said, mom. It is really funny, cause I got a catalog in the mail today from an organization very similar to the Heifer International, and was considering doing something similar for Christmas with our kids........

all those freedoms we all greatly treasure, and pray that every human will get to experience each one

 
At November 26, 2008 5:56 AM, Blogger Susan Tidwell said...

I hope you and your family have a great Thanksgiving!

 

Post a Comment

<< Home