Some thoughts on… Accomplishments
Obama is passing a historic health care bill to cover 30 million more citizens. This is the greatest achievement of his Office so far because it pulls off legislation that defied seventy years of attempt by over 10 Presidents. With our visit to China we completed a personal triumph having finally visited the New7Wonders Foundation's seven wonders of the world. (Pictures below)
Why should we consider both of these activities an accomplishment?
In its “Different Values” campaign, HSBC shows multiple pictures with a common word demonstrating how people may view a similar concept in varied ways. One of these ads is for the word ‘Accomplishment’ showing three pictures – a beauty queen accepting an award, a college graduate, and an astronaut landing on the moon. People may question whether these are actual triumphs, yet each one demonstrates two criteria to deem them as accomplishments – internal achievement and external validation.
A personal desire to succeed or achieve is integral to any victory. Individuals must want to realize a certain dream or moral imperative to bring about an accomplishment. Without this personal desire, nothing can be completed. The astronaut wants to stand on an alternate celestial body, the graduate wishes to gather academic prowess, and the beauty queen wishes to express her perspective. Yet, by itself the individual goal is arbitrary – why did we just visit the seven wonders rather than 8 or 15 or 50?
This is why external validation is also required. There must be some recognition by the general public that the action is sufficiently compelling. A person walking down the street requires personal determination but is likely not viewed by others as a true feat. Our visiting the seven wonders is not a significant act, but it is recognized by an independent body as a challenging deed.
On the other hand, Obama’s accomplishment – moving health care from a privilege to a basic human right – is truly momentous because it demonstrates personal imperative and simultaneously transcends external validation. Many people support the bill and many disagree, yet the legislation is one that cuts through political banter to carry out “the great unfinished business of our society” as described by the late Senator Ted Kennedy. Setting aside Tea-Party protests and last minute wrangling, Speaker Pelosi and the Congress have forged through a bill that defines the moral character of our country.
History writes itself in small details and grand gestures. Bravo to the Government for its grand gesture. Pictures of our small detail are below.
March 21, 2010
The Great Wall (2010)
Petra (2009)
Christ Concepcion (2007)
Taj Mahal (2002)
The Colliseum (2001)
Great Pyramids (1999)
Macchu Picchu (1997)
Chichen-Itza (1995)
Why should we consider both of these activities an accomplishment?
In its “Different Values” campaign, HSBC shows multiple pictures with a common word demonstrating how people may view a similar concept in varied ways. One of these ads is for the word ‘Accomplishment’ showing three pictures – a beauty queen accepting an award, a college graduate, and an astronaut landing on the moon. People may question whether these are actual triumphs, yet each one demonstrates two criteria to deem them as accomplishments – internal achievement and external validation.
A personal desire to succeed or achieve is integral to any victory. Individuals must want to realize a certain dream or moral imperative to bring about an accomplishment. Without this personal desire, nothing can be completed. The astronaut wants to stand on an alternate celestial body, the graduate wishes to gather academic prowess, and the beauty queen wishes to express her perspective. Yet, by itself the individual goal is arbitrary – why did we just visit the seven wonders rather than 8 or 15 or 50?
This is why external validation is also required. There must be some recognition by the general public that the action is sufficiently compelling. A person walking down the street requires personal determination but is likely not viewed by others as a true feat. Our visiting the seven wonders is not a significant act, but it is recognized by an independent body as a challenging deed.
On the other hand, Obama’s accomplishment – moving health care from a privilege to a basic human right – is truly momentous because it demonstrates personal imperative and simultaneously transcends external validation. Many people support the bill and many disagree, yet the legislation is one that cuts through political banter to carry out “the great unfinished business of our society” as described by the late Senator Ted Kennedy. Setting aside Tea-Party protests and last minute wrangling, Speaker Pelosi and the Congress have forged through a bill that defines the moral character of our country.
History writes itself in small details and grand gestures. Bravo to the Government for its grand gesture. Pictures of our small detail are below.
March 21, 2010
The Great Wall (2010)
Petra (2009)
Christ Concepcion (2007)
Taj Mahal (2002)
The Colliseum (2001)
Great Pyramids (1999)
Macchu Picchu (1997)
Chichen-Itza (1995)