Ask what you can do for your country!

John F. Kennedy gave a short inauguration speech in 1961 with the famous line: “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,”. Almost 60 years later, one would think these words would echo even louder with a new generation but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears.

No longer are experts trusted, fringe voices deny the facts, cause doubt and question motives. “Truth, Justice and the American Way” now only seems to apply to comic books.

Kennedy did not limit his focus to the United States, which now seems more divided then ever, he continued with the statement, “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”

As a Canadian, I would like to say that our country is immune to the corruption of morality and ethics, but sadly this is not the case.

Both respect and trust are earned and once you’ve tarnished those, you can create lifelong relationship divisions that may be unrecoverable.

When you apply for a job, the potential hirer will look at your resume and then at your social media profile. Your views and actions will be under their microscope. They want a team player, a person that can follow rules and not be disruptive or disrespectful. Any indications that you are contrary to these core values should eliminate your chances of being hired.

I respect those that admit they were wrong, or honest enough to say “I don’t know” but all too often people will turn to the internet to find someone or something that supports their views. Here’s a news flash, you will likely find that source that agrees with you because the internet has given a voice to everyone, right or wrong, information and disinformation.

Empathy has turned into apathy, which is a lack of feeling or emotion and/or a lack of interest or concern.

Admitting being wrong about something is now considered a weakness and a failure when in fact it demonstrates strength and teachability.

Before you throw your support behind an idea, concept, movement... ask yourself; is it worth my career goal? Is it worth it to be ostracized by family and friends?

You may find yourself on a lonely almost deserted island, only inhabited by others who always believe they are correct. That’s not a place where I want to live and it’s not a place where relationships grow.

Instead, perhaps we can resolve to ask what you can do for your country!