/The Beginning/

by R. A. Verhey

            Hi there. Welcome to Mark One of my twenty-percent project. The goal of this blog, which is the entirety of my twenty-percent project, is less to achieve academic grades, and more to see something that has been on my heart for years, put into action. I want to see America become the best she has ever been, and though I would say the best that she will ever be, I am afraid that would be selfish of me. I want that for my children, and for my children’s children. John Adams once wrote, “I must study politics and war, that our sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. Our sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history and naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry and porcelain.” I believe that it is our time once more to study war and politics. The world is changing – in fact, it has been changing for the last ninety-five years. History has been made before our very steps, on a path carved by destiny. The question we as limited human beings must ask is, where is that path taking us? We cannot answer this directly, though we can, however, look to the past. The events of today have fallen into place before us, and just maybe, it has been a shorter period of time than you may think. The World Wars, 9/11, ISIS… Though the events of today may seem random or new because fancy filters have been applied, history repeats itself. If I am right in the opinion I share with many others, it is now our job to study our history, so that we may not be blind to the path our feet do tread.

            Over the next few weeks, my goal is to make you think. To logically see the stories that race through the news, and more importantly, look to our future with an clear perception of what must be done. My goal is not to be right, it is not to get a good grade, it is not to look good in front of any body. I want to see my generation walk in strength in who they are, and who they were called to be. One of the greatest stories I can think of to instill the reality of destiny, is the story of America. Where the farmer becomes the leader, and the orphan becomes the inventor. America truly is the land of dreams, it is the land of freedom, it is the land of the brave. It has been paid for by the blood and sacrifice of many men and women, who believed that this last light post, this great idea that is ever growing on the shoulders of the people, is worth every drop of sweat, ever bullet taken, every life lost. It is our privilege, our duty, to carry that idea of freedom to our very deaths. But not out of guilt, nor out of order, but out of love. For in love, comes identity, and in every love there is a calling of destiny. Therefore, my challenge to you, is to find that which you love- for that is what makes America great. Not money, not politicians, but people, loving what they do, and doing it well. In this, destiny will find us, and freedom cannot fail to follow. 

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