“If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.” – Sir Isaac Newton.
This quote from Isaac Newton resonates through the ages, reminding us that our progress, our achievements, and even our understanding of the world are not solely the product of our own efforts.
We are all standing on the shoulders of giants—the people who came before us, who laid the foundations on which we build our lives today.
Take a moment to reflect on this truth.
We are surrounded by the work, sacrifices, and wisdom of our ancestors.
Our world, flawed as it may be, is a testament to their hard work and perseverance.
And while it is easy to focus on what is wrong, what could be better, and what still needs to be fixed, let’s pause for a moment and acknowledge how much we owe to those who came before us.
The Legacy We Stand On
Think about it: the buildings we live in, the roads we drive on, the institutions that govern our societies, the technology that powers our daily lives—none of this appeared out of nowhere.
Our grandparents, parents, and ancestors built the world we live in.
They faced unimaginable challenges and overcame obstacles we’ll never fully understand to give us the tools, knowledge, and opportunities we have today.
It’s easy to look at the imperfections in the world and get frustrated.
It’s natural to want more progress, more justice, more fairness.
But before we complain, we must stop and say thank you.
Thank you to the generations before us who worked tirelessly so that we could have the privileges we sometimes take for granted.
Thank you to the people who fought battles—both literal and metaphorical—so that we could stand on more solid ground.
They may not have been perfect, and their contributions may have come with flaws, but they gave us the platform from which we now reach for greater heights.
Gratitude for Our Bloodline
Let’s also take a moment to thank our bloodlines—our parents, grandparents, and every ancestor that stretches back to the very first humans to walk this earth.
Every one of them contributed to who we are today, whether through love, sacrifice, or even the mistakes they made along the way.
It is easy to judge the past through the lens of today.
But the truth is, each generation did the best they could with the knowledge and tools they had.
And every step they took, every lesson they learned, was passed down to us, creating the very foundation on which we stand.
Even if your relationship with your parents or ancestors is complicated, even if there were hardships and struggles, there is always room for gratitude.
Because you would not be here today, striving for better, if it weren’t for them.
Gratitude for God’s Grace
And let us remember to give thanks to the ultimate source of all creation.
The One True God who made it all possible.
Everything we have, everything we are, comes from a divine source that has blessed us with life, purpose, and the ability to grow.
We often look at the world around us and ask why things aren’t better, why we face challenges, and why there is suffering.
But in those moments, we should remember that we have the opportunity to be part of the solution.
We have the chance to take the gifts we’ve been given—the wisdom of our ancestors, the progress of those before us, and the grace of God—and create something even better for future generations.
Shifting Our Perspective
It’s so easy to complain.
We live in a world where negativity gets attention, where pointing out flaws feels like progress, and where focusing on what’s wrong is often more comfortable than acknowledging what’s right.
But complaining is not a strategy for growth.
Complaining keeps us stuck, focused on the problem instead of working toward the solution.
So let’s shift our perspective.
Let’s start with gratitude.
Gratitude is not about ignoring what’s wrong or pretending that everything is perfect.
It’s about recognizing that we have a lot to be thankful for, even as we work to make things better.
When we approach life with gratitude, we gain the strength to tackle the challenges ahead.
Gratitude is the fuel for progress.
It’s what allows us to see the world not as broken beyond repair, but as something that can always be improved—with effort, love, and dedication.
The Call to Action
What can we learn from the giants whose shoulders we stand on?
We can learn that progress takes time.
That perfection is an illusion.
That growth is a continuous journey, not a destination.
Our ancestors didn’t have it all figured out, and neither do we.
But what they did have was the courage to keep moving forward, to build something they could pass on to us.
And now it’s our turn.
We are the giants of tomorrow.
What we do today will shape the lives of those who come after us.
The decisions we make, the actions we take, and the values we uphold will become the foundation for future generations.
So let’s take that responsibility seriously.
Let’s be grateful for the shoulders we stand on, and let’s work to create shoulders strong enough for others to stand on in the future.
A Simple Thank You
Before we continue our journey of growth and progress, let’s say thank you.
Thank you to our parents and grandparents for the sacrifices they made.
Thank you to our ancestors for building the world we live in.
Thank you to the people who fought for freedom, equality, and opportunity.
And thank you to God for giving us life and the chance to make a difference.
We are here today because of the giants who came before us.
And tomorrow, someone will be standing on our shoulders.
Let’s make sure they have a strong foundation to build on.
With love, yours truly, Cristian, in collaboration with ChatGPT.