It’s a simple statement to ponder, asking what you can do for your country. It’s also the foundation of one of the most iconic speeches delivered in American history.
During his inauguration speech on January 20, 1961, President John F. Kennedy passionately challenged all citizens as he famously declared, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
But he didn’t stop there, next challenging all those listening that day. He continued, “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
It was a positive, unifying message. It demanded self-reflection from citizens on what they could do better for the country – and within their communities.
The spirit of that speech would be welcomed today as attitudes have shifted greatly.
Now the conversation is focused on free stuff people feel entitled to, like free college tuition, free healthcare and extra or extended unemployment benefits. Many even campaign for reparations for offenses that happened generations ago.
We’ve becoming too needy and too passive as a society.
We’re so lazy that companies like GrubHub and DoorDash have been created and are thriving as a middle man in a growing food delivery industry. It’s become too much of a hassle for people to pick up takeout food.
Instacart is turning profits as a shop-and-deliver grocery service. Meal-kit companies like HelloFresh and Home Chef serve up all the ingredients in one box to cook a meal at home. For even greater ease, companies like Freshly deliver prepared meals ready to heat and eat.
Even when we venture out, a growing number of retailers are offering curbside, drive-up parking where customers’ purchases are brought right to their car.
Patience has vanished as online retailers like Amazon deliver purchases in two days or less.
We lazily feed social media with mindless bickering as it’s too easy for many to throw in their two cents, which is creating an argument culture that’s unproductive at best. Families and friendships have been tested and torn apart by this divisiveness.
There is little accountability left these days. Citizens blame politicians, which leads to politicians blaming each other. Everyone wants to take everything all the time and blame everyone but themselves for their situation.
Imagine for a minute how the world might be different if we all thought more about service and action instead of what someone else can do for us. And what would happen if we stopped arguing and stopped blaming each other?
It would be refreshing if we all came together and started spreading positivity. You don’t have to solve world peace by yourself. Begin with simple tasks in your own backyard.
When was the last time you called or visited your grandmother? What little extra can you do to help your family? Take initiative and proactively help a neighbor in need. Go volunteer in your community. Or next time let that driver merge ahead of you in traffic.
Imagine if these selfless, kind acts multiplied and spread across the country – and maybe even the globe.
So ask yourself that simple yet powerful question from more than 60 years ago: What can you do for your country to make it a better place?
Don’t wait on others to do for you what you can do for yourself.
Start by getting outside, breathing in some fresh air and picking up that pizza yourself. And while you’re at it, deliver a pizza to your grandmother so she doesn’t have to cook.
