The American Dream is not a fine theory to be written upon paper, but a life to be lived,

The American Spirit

By Jim O'Neill Friday, July 3, 2009
by Emmet Fox (1886-1951)

The task which each American has before them is to realize the American Dream in their own life, to the utmost that they are able, by making themselves personally free; free in body, and soul, and spirit.

Free in body, by demonstrating bodily health. Free in soul, by liberating themselves, as far as they can, from every clogging prejudice, whether of party, or race, or creed, or caste; from all the snobbery and limitation that centuries of oppression have burned-in to the life of the Old World. Free in spirit, by rising above all the fetters of personal greed and jealousy, petty spite, mean pride, and small resentments that are the common handicap of humanity in all countries.

The American Dream is not a fine theory to be written upon paper, but a life to be lived, for its own sake and for the sake of the nation, and for the sake of Humanity.

The finest Constitution, and the greatest Declaration of Independence ever made are but phrases until they are incorporated into the practical lives of living people. And so, unless you are seeking to embody the American Spirit in your own personal life and conduct, you are no true American, even though you may have authentic Mayflower ancestry.

Submitted by CFP columnist Jim O’Neill. (I’ve taken the liberty of turning Dr. Fox’s passage gender neutral).

For more on Emmet Fox go to emmetfox.net/

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