It gives me great pleasure to stand here today, before such an astonishing and miraculous country – a country that has stood up against economic crisis, tyrannical threat, and terrorism, and continues to do so daily.  There are several individuals who recognize the marvelous liberty bestowed upon them through the sacrifice of millions of lives and painful atonements.  They take advantage of their God-given freedom by chasing their passions and racing towards their dreams.  However, there are also many people that simply watch their lives deteriorate, unaware of the ticking bomb deep in their souls.  This TNT is waiting to be touched – to explode. However, due to the laziness of society and the allowance of idleness in our culture, this bomb will never detonate, and its flames will never be lit.

In the 1700’s, America was “the little country that could.”  Although the population was scarce in comparison to the countries in Europe, the founding fathers were passionate about reaching full-fledged liberty, and were willing to spill their own precious blood, sweat, and tears in order to achieve that.  They endured the agony not only for their own benefit, but for us, so that we could be inspired to fight for our own passions without limitations being set upon us by the government.  Nowadays, however, other countries associate Americans with the word lazy.  Americans seem to have lethargic views on life, simply coasting along with the comforts of television, computers, and iPods.  Over 20,000 teenagers drop out of high school each year.  40% of Americans are free from having to pay income tax, some of whom are simply too lazy to work and are therefore being rewarded for their sluggishness.  Although we were set free hundreds of years ago from the bondage of the state, people continue to set limitations on themselves, keeping them from their destinies.

There is so much more to life than rotting in the seat of contentment.  You were born with vast potential and passions.  I understand that as you have lived your life, things may have started to suppress your ambition, but why be weak and allow those things to have power over your life?  Will you allow fear of failure to gain a chokehold on your destiny?  Shall the ghosts that are behind you shadow your future?  Or, will you take the reins and allow your heart’s desires drive your life?

Close your eyes and remember that moment where sparks ignited your soul.  The second you learned your first dance move, the time you spent with a paint brush in your hand, or the book you read on a topic that made you soar with excitement.  Recollect that instant where you thought, “I want to do this forever.”  Where is the object of your zeal?  Is it being exercised, or is it collecting dust on a shelf?  Furthermore, what is stopping you from jumping into the vivacity within your dreams?

You have one life to be lived, and the amazing thing is that you have the power to live it!  You are not destined for failure, but to leave a legacy that resonates through the hearts of succeeding generations.  How are you to shake the earth off its axis with no driving force? Your zeal is the gasoline that can fly you to the moon despite all the gravity trying to keep you down.  If you have enough enthusiasm, other people will see it from far away, and catch onto it. Passion is contagious!  Rekindle the flames within you, and ignite a fire that will catch on to the rest of the world.