Basic Human Rights

The rights of human beings are incredibly important, and no words can really express the significance or importance of them in our lives. Without humans, we would know nothing of this universe, nor of love, memories, or the enjoyment of living. I think the most basic way to sum up what human rights, has been summed up in the United States Declaration of Independence. I don't think its just a good description for those that are United States Citizens, but for all people everywhere. Its a good thing, for all humans to have a chance at life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I think the finer details all fall under that larger umbrella.

Do all humans currently have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? No, unfortunately they do not. It shouldn't stop us from trying to have that be a goal, however. Its a very worthy cause, and I think it is important to never stop learning from original history. When and if we do forget to learn from history, we are doomed to make same and/or bigger mistakes.  Life is too precious to be squandered away by repeating mistakes or versions of them.  Let the mistakes of the past be learning tools of how not to do things in our future.  Future generations are counting on us!

Wherever we see injustices done to people, all of us ought to do what we can to help. Sometimes that comes in the form of a vote at the voting booth, come election day. Sometimes, its giving a little bit to help another in whatever way we can. It need not be monetary, and there are so many other ways to give! Being creative with what you have, be it time or just a smile and a kindness is so much better than nothing.

Keeping abreast of the news and what is going on in the world, is very critical. Trying to raise our children to think better about things, to think critically about the issues all around us is an incredible gift to them! Encourage less thinking of oneself, and encourage empathy and compassion for those less fortunate than ourselves. This not only helps others, but helps us, and can create true and genuine thankfulness. We might take a lot for granted, but choosing to think about what we have that others don't, like food and fresh water, can be the beginnings of helping those that don't have the basic human rights in place.

I think the order is important in this list. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. For instance, can you have liberty or be able to pursue anything if you don't have life? Can you pursue happiness if you don't have liberty or freedom to do so? So Life, is the number one human right, that often gets overlooked. We all need to fight for the right to life for all people, no matter how young or how old they are. Age should never be a factor in whether or not a person is allowed to ever have life in the first place, or to end it prematurely for whatever the reason. Life is a precious gift, that is something we should have a "hands off" idea toward. We don't give it, and we shouldn't take it.

Freedom isn't free. It never has been, and never will be. Lets be thankful that we didn't pay the price others had to, to ensure our very freedoms that are afforded to us today. Let us support freedom and be wary of who or what (ideas and philosophies included) wants to take freedoms away. No matter how a thing looks, if the end result is loss of freedoms, we need to consider not allowing that into our lives and governments. For example, big and bigger government might look so good on the one hand, but really it is a slow loss of freedoms. We need to be aware of if and when this is happening. I know I have observed it in my own lifetime. Be aware and alert, and shoot for freedom. Sometimes ideas are dressed up so they look like they are helping people, when really they are quietly exerting more power over those people. This can benefit those that would want power to rule over people when really, people ought to rule themselves, and have a government that supports that (as much as is possible).

Pursuit of Happiness, isn't a guarantee of happiness. It is being allowed the opportunity to pursue it that it might be an option at all. The pursuit of happiness is a "hope giver!" Happiness can inspire the human spirit to soar above all the difficult parts of life. It brings a quality to life that makes it so much more enjoyable. Even if we don't have things that we think we ought, to make us happy, let us look deeper to what I talked about initially, to be thankful for all we do have. This can bring true happiness. Just living the life you have been given, by no effort of your own, is a great thing to celebrate. May we strive to help as many people as we can. That is a great goal.