Presidents Are People Too
Presidents Are People Too
For those who may not know today in America, The 15th day of February, is Presidents Day to honor the office of the President and the office holders.
In America we have a habit of seeing our presidents as near divine(or profane) beings and the further back in time the greater their mythology. And it IS mythology in every way that maters.
However it is important to remember these are not divine creatures, they are people. People who are incredibly important to our history. People who have done great things. All true. But people none-the-less.
It’s important we remember that, especially as people who benefitted from their triumphs and failures of action. We must be carful not to raise them up to some exalted status, or else we’ll never see the flaw in their being and where they could have done better.
And this is not to attack these great men, and one day women, but to recognize that even great men are imperfect.
This teaches us two things.
Two- That imperfection is not a barrier to greatness. Our own imperfections and flaws may haunt us every waking hour of the day but that does not mean we cannot make of our selves great things. We are no more bereft of flaws than Washington, Jefferson or any other great figure that may come to mind. If such flawed people as these can achieve so much than so can we.
One-recognizing where the great people of the past-and present-are flawed and have failed shows us where we can improve. We can learn from their mistakes and carry forward both the great deeds of the past and produce great works of the future. You or I may not be Washington but we may learn from Washington to do something more, something better.
Washington was great man, he also had false teeth because he ate too much ice cream. I think I’ll brush my teeth.
The presidents are people too. And like all people, great and small, they have much to teach us. Some by emulation, and some through their mistakes. Look to the great figures of your inspiration and let them teach you. Not as gods but as men and you will be all the better for it.
Thank you and God bless;
~S. Wallace