Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

Well, it happened so fast that on the day of the swearing in ceremony I was still questioning myself if this was the right thing to do. But during this past weekend, I finally was comforted with the thought that no matter where we're from, and where we live in this world, "all men and women are created equal and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". At least that is how I feel. Does it always happen? Unfortunately, not for everyone in this world.

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness: As I look back to my native land of Fiji and the years I spent there, there was definitely life. But liberty and the pursuit of happiness were at times hard to come by. Like many other global societies, Fiji has a traditional hierarchical system that is respected and in some cases,in my estimation, feared by its natives and citizens. "REREVAKA NA KALOU KA DOKA NA TUI" is a slogan that normally accompanies the Fijian shield on the Fiji flag. It's interpreted to "FEAR GOD, BUT/AND RESPECT THE KING". Sadly, with political circumstances the kings are being respected more, rather than having a god fearing people. Liberty, pursuit of happiness, are they attainable in Fiji? Anything is possible anywhere.

I have lived and experienced a great life here in this land, and the beauty about America is that I now have the liberty to pursue anything and everything that will bring about happiness to me and those that I love. It is all up to me now. If I work, study, play, worship and serve hard enough, I'll get the liberty, happiness and life that I seek. And if I don't, then the hard reality that accompany that choice will have to be carried on my shoulders by me.

This land is indeed a promised land, as I know it to be true. There is no coincidence in the fact that everyone outside America looks at her citizens with envy and a longing desire to just taste the sweetness of liberty, the glee of pure happiness and the beauty of life. At the same time, I am convinced that the demise and down fall of this great land rests largely upon the shoulders of us its citizens with the choices we make, be they social, political, economical, religious or whatever. I am thankful to be alive and to have all the liberty I can imagine made available to me, and that if I make the correct turns, if you will, it will result in nothing but happiness.

Life is good and America is great. God Bless the US of A.