As an American Founder, this is one of those posts that I get stoked to write about but let's talk about the Muppets (say what?). Yep, we are going to miss the Muppets at Hollywood Studios and while I am actually betting at 5:1 odds that Muppet Vision 3D will come back to Walt Disney World Resort at some point in the next few years, the line "a salute to all nations but mostly America" is epic. Name one other line from any ride at any theme park that is as memorable as this one? Maybe it's just me but as an American that line is the best and it's the basis for today's post.
THE Land of Opportunity
We actually have quite the global team here at Famvia Travel. We have folks from Costa Rica that edit YouTube to travel advisors from Cyprus and everywhere in between. There are a lot of cultures and countries represented here and we do salute them, but ain't nothing as great as America baby. Where else could we start a company like ours and attract amazing talent from across the globe that want to work here? That kind of thing mostly happens only in America. From the moment the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776 and beyond today, America is and has always been the best beacon for opportunity in the world.
From my earliest days, I remember my teachers telling me that someday I would have the chance to change the world if I wanted it. Granted, they said that to everyone but there is nowhere else in the world that there is truly an opportunity to build something from nothing like there is here. How many people immigrated here over the last 100 years with $5 in their pocket and built empires? I can name several stories off the top of my head.
One of my guilty pleasure shows to watch while I'm working on the couch is Bar Rescue. I know a lot of it may be staged for TV. But indulge me a bit please... there was the one episode of a guy who served in our Armed Forces, came home from the horrors of war and bought a bowling alley that needed a lot of TLC. Jon Taffer came in and did his thing and really took the owner under his wing and helped him build a legacy for his kids and their kids. How cool is it that we live in a place that fosters that mentality and creates the culture of building legacies for our families.
Our Name Means Something
A book which was really thought provoking for me a decade ago was The Ugly American. We can certainly debate a lot of the topics presented within, but one thing is clear: Americans are a unique people and we have a swagger for a reason. Nowhere else on the planet can we present our blue passport and know that we can be proud of being an American.
Of course pride goeth before the fall (and don't be a jerk when traveling), but we can always hold our heads high that through good times and bad, we are Americans and that name carries weight. Another applicable verse that I think about while writing this is "to whom much is given much is required." As Americans, we have a responsibility to carry our name well both internally/abroad, but we should do something with this opportunity. If we squander that opportunity to do something great, then we are not shouldering our portion of the name, American.
Medal of Honor Monday
"Why are you writing all this, Ben? This is a weird rant." is something that I can already hear being typed out on keyboards. And that's ok, it is weird in today's culture to be proud of being an American. Count me in that group that is proud of my country and proud to be building something with the greatest land of opportunity ever.
One of my favorite podcasts is the Jesse Kelly Show. Every Monday in the 2nd hour he does a segment reading a citation of how a stud fighting for his life earned the nation's highest honor. While some citations are shorter than others, especially those from World War 1 and 2, the heroic acts that our nation's greatest warriors accomplished is both awe-inspiring and encouraging. Many Medal of Honor recipients died in the performance of the actions that earned them that honor, but what were they fighting for that day?
They were fighting to give me and you the opportunity to go out and prove that being an American means something. As I wrap this up, let's eat lots of apple pie and shoot of an insane amount of fireworks tomorrow on July 4. And then as Teddy Roosevelt once said: "The only man who never makes mistakes is the man who never does anything.” So, get out there and find a way to take advantage of the opportunities we have as Americans to change the world and prove once again that being an American is a proud thing.
And I will salute you on your journey.
Howdy friends! Happy to chat anytime if you need advice on a situation, want feedback on a social media push or whatever I can do to help you operate at the top of your Travel Advisor game. Also, if you know of an opening to play Sorcerer Mickey at Fantasmic!, my schedule is wide open.
