Happiness
and moral duty are inseparably connected. - George Washington
A
sensible woman can never be happy with a fool. - George Washington
The
visionary starts with a clean sheet of paper, and re-imagines the world. - Malcolm
Gladwell
I'm a
visionary. I'm not a maintenance person. – John Catsimatidis
One of my favorite spots in D.C. is the Washington Monument
and I recently read a book about our nation’s first president. The opening paragraph of George Washington: The Founding Father by Paul Johnson
states:
As the central actor in the
American Revolution, George Washington was one of the most important figures in
world history. As America’s commander in
chief throughout the eight-year struggle against Britain’ he effectively
liberated the thirteen colonies from imperial rule. He then presided over the process whereby the
new nation drafted, ratified, and enacted its federal Constitution. Finally, for eight years he directed the administration
that put the Constitution to work, with such success that, suitably updated and
amended, it has lasted for nearly a quarter of a millennium.
Washington exemplified character and leadership throughout
his life. He began his military career
during the French and Indian War and quickly rose through the ranks to become a
senior officer in the colonial militia. After
the war, he became a surveyor, then inherited land and became a local
politician. Becoming frustrated with the
idea of “taxation without representation”, he became involved in the Virginia
House of Burgesses. From his military
experience and his strong reputation, he was commissioned by the Second Continental
Congress in 1775 to be the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. He lost more battles than he won; however,
his army persevered and America won independence. Washington then presided over the writing of
the Constitution and then became our country’s first President.
Washington was not as well-educated as Benjamin Franklin or Thomas
Jefferson. He was chosen for each of
these positions because of his character and charisma. Washington knew that he needed educated
individuals around him to assist with decision-making, but he also learned from
his experiences and continued to evolve as an individual through continual
observing, listening, reading and reflecting.
He was determined, persistent and respectful of everyone.
Washington was a visionary throughout his life and knew that
to accomplish something he had to be doing and could not just sit around and
wait.
The
harder the conflict, the greater the triumph. – George Washington
Challenge: Are you a visionary like Washington that desires to
change the world? Imagine what you
desire and start taking steps to implement!
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