What an amazing quote to which many of us can relate in a variety of ways!

It reminds us that we have not gotten to where we are today all by ourselves. Our success is due to the love, sacrifice and toil of others, many of whom we do not know personally and who may have lived decades or even centuries ago.

Within our families, we are the product of the successes of our parents and previous generations, who laid the foundation for their descendants to do better. However, we have all benefited from the efforts and sacrifices of those others, such as those who fought for the abolition of slavery, segregation, the rights of women, gay rights, fair pay, labour rights, racism, gender equality, reproductive rights, just to name a few.

Although battles are still being fought on many fronts, the odds are that we would not know how to cope or function, nor would we be able to realise the successes we have enjoyed, had we lived 20, 50 or 100 years ago. To that end, we ought to acknowledge and express our sincere gratitude to those who sacrificed, and are currently sacrificing, to gain the rights, freedoms and opportunities we currently enjoy, and upon whose shoulders we are standing.

 

Throughout the day, we invite you to revisit this quote. Below are a few questions you may wish to ask yourself, and those who journal may find them especially useful:

• Had I lived 50 years ago, how different would my life be from what it is today?
• Who are the people that have been the most influential in my life, and in what ways have they shaped my life?
• What words of gratitude would I say to each of these individuals?

 

 

Best wishes and have a great day!