I think most everyone would acknowledge that we Humans have four, aspects/dimensions or what I like to call “Facets” to our Beings. In a very particular order in ‘priority’ of relevance/importance, I would like to expound upon them individually. Additionally, I stipulate that are very interconnected/interrelated but for purposes of my analogy to the United States of America, I will describe them one-at-a-time.
First of all is our Physical Facet, basically the unique body with which we are born. Largely a genetics inherited from our parents; we can take good care of what we are ‘given’ but cannot make any substantive changes. Furthermore, it is probably the least important aspect of our total Human ‘value.’ I would be very suspect of anyone who ‘judges’ others on the basis of their physical characteristics/qualities ALONE. That being said, “Show Business” people of all types, tend to ‘define’ themselves by their “looks” and most media seems to over-emphasize/exaggerate that importance of those people’s ‘qualities’ as well.
Next for me is a person’s Intellectual Facet. Coming from an Academic profession, this might surprise many of my colleagues that I classify/categorize one’s Brain as ONLY third-best (second-least) in priority. In my experience, for the vast majority of people, when it comes down to the “Head versus the Heart,” the Heart most usually wins. Oh, maybe not for a small minority of computer-like brainiac elites, but most folks are Emotionally dominant and ‘navigate’ life based on their “Feelings.”
Which leads us right into the Emotional Facet. “Scientists” separate Humans from the animal world by our larger intellect but when “push-comes-to-shove,” it all comes down to our innate nervous system and its desire for peace, happiness and sense of well-being. Our “feelings” for our own ‘truths’ always seem more ‘non-animal’ than any “facts” which are always subject to constant change and interpretation. Just think of how often we might “know” that something is right-or-wrong, good-or-bad, healthy-or-unhealthy and we still choose to “do” what we WANT anyway? The power of doing is based more on our feelings than our thoughts.
Finally, the ‘highest’ Facet is our Spiritual component. This is certainly the most personal and private matter but the most powerful as well. There is no physical, intellectual or emotional factor which can ‘beat’ the strength of one’s faith or conviction of belief. AND thank God for that! Or else, how could so many people survive the many difficulties (and ‘unfairness’) that life in this world seems to bestow. Also, even just the possibility of any life-after-death has got to be incredibly ‘motivating’ when faced with the prospect of “eternity” in one place/state or the other (i.e., heaven or hell).
So, how does this all relate to the American Nation at this specific time in the world’s history? First of all, the Physical Facet of America is twofold. The physical geography of our natural resources is incredibly impressive and really blessed. Both the location on the globe and the actual land itself makes for quite a physical ‘specimen.’ The diversity of landscape, variety of topography, and bountiful assets (like energy, water, fertile land) is awesome. Also, the physicality of our people is an amazing bounty of riches as we have all shapes, sizes, colors and attributes of humans among our population. Many countries are much more homogenous with regard to the citizen’s “bodies.” Therefore, it much be much more difficult for them to achieve the same level of ambitious objectives/goals as The United States can.
The American Intellectual Facet is equally impressive. People immigrated here from all over the world and brought with them a great diversity of “smarts” and even more importantly, the motivation to use those “brains’ for maximum potential development. Things like creativity, entrepreneurship and business acumen have all been on full display since the “founding.” What’s more is that, as a Culture, we place tremendous value on the importance of Education and as such, have invested heavily in most of the academic Endeavors/Institutions of Arts & Sciences, Research & Development and Skills Training. That effort (oftentimes, through political discourse) has kept our collective minds sharp and contributes greatly to our continual forward ‘progress.’
Our Emotional Facet has been one of generosity, concern, justice, freedom and liberty: in other words, of High Emotional Intelligence (E.Q.). Our feelings are geared towards “the pursuit of happiness for one and all” (e.g., “tired, hungry, poor, huddled masses”). Our charity and philanthropy towards the rest of the world may actually have been to a ‘faulty’ extreme in many cases over the course of our history. But, as a people, (our combined total Human Resources), I believe that we have a great collective “Heart” and as a referenced above, the “Heart usually triumphs over the Head.” Once again the “melting pot” of our diversity gives us a great competitive advantage over others in terms of Emotional Energy, Stamina, Enthusiasm and Excitement for capturing everything that the world has opportunity/capability to offer.
The Facet which captures the ‘essence’ of what it is/means to be an “American” is our “Spirit.” I really do not believe that factors like gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation or any other demographic/psychographic has very much bearing on genuine U.S. citizenship in the 21st century. You either “feel it” in your ‘Soul’ or you don’t! If one cannot get past those ‘old’ limiting factors, one is more concerned with making destructive ‘excuses’ than helping the overall cause for betterment. If one believes in the “promise” of America, one offers up loyalty, trust, support, commitment, dedication, devotion, allegiance and patriotism with gratitude to honor its past, treasure its present and contribute to an ‘improved’ future. Like with our own personal faith, our strength of belief is “symbolic” for a life beyond our own time on earth and to something much bigger than ourselves.