Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.
- Marcus Aurelius
Most people's historical perspective begins with the day of their birth.
- Rush Limbaugh
I never imagined that I'd agree with Rush Limbaugh on anything, but his observation on the general lack of historical perspective is important.
Those who see progress as being too slow - whether in civil rights, medical advances, economic opportunity, or other areas - might compare the current rate of progress with that at any other time in history and have patience. Those who worry about the directions in which civilization is moving might reexamine the twists and turns of history - nothing remains constant. Year by year, century by century, governments, wars, health, food supply, swing from extreme to extreme. Also have patience - every generation will have its own challenges, failures, and successes.
Almost nothing you worry about today will matter in a hundred years. Think carefully about what you can focus on today that will actually make a positive difference to your great-grandchildren.
Further reading: Life is all in the perspective we take on it. - jlh
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