Qualities of a Patriot

Who can truly be a patriotic citizen? Let’s begin by simply defining the word patriotism as love, respect and loyalty towards one’s country. Fortunately, every person whether he or she is aware of it or not, belongs to some ethic nationality which can be naturally traceable as its root of origin. This is a place where we should all call `Home,’ a place of emotional satisfaction and possible optimal security, but the irony remains that to every given privilege there is a corresponding responsibility associated with it. For that land, place, village, country to ultimately yield the necessary benefits towards an individual or to be specific, you as a person, then you should have played a committed role in ensuring that your ideals of a better nation become realities.

My aim is not to bore you with lots of literature, so let’s get straight to the points with some qualities and characteristics that will qualify you as a patriot:

  

Patriotism

       Be True To Self

Patrick Henry, one of America Independence Advocate said that, “true patriotism is patriotism first at home.” It is absolutely impossible to give away what you do not possess; so in being a loving and trustworthy citizen, then it must naturally emanate from you. Nurture the qualities of good in you and at the same time consistently starve the tendencies of evil within you. Let `self’, yourself I mean assume the posture of an honest and sincere umpire that evenly regulates the tempo of morality within you. The denominator remains you can’t be true to anybody or a system if you are not true to self – yourself.

         Love For Your Country

It is impossible to transverse through difficulty with the aim of achieving a set objective without passion, in other words – love for that thing. To be a patriot you must love your country. You can’t be wishing in your heart that you were a citizen of another country and at the same time expect to be a patriot; just as you won’t expect much from a married fellow in terms of building a wonderful family who is devoting his or her time, energy and resources on other opposite sex. Love spells the word – commitment! You shouldn’t have an alternative dedication to another nation until absolute devotion is given to your mother land. Nathan Hale said this, prior to his execution by the British in 1776 during the struggle for the American Independence, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Hmmm…with this phrase I need not say any more on this subject of love towards one’s own country.

          Contribute To Society

The proof of a value system is in the doing. For your goodwill to be measured then it has to be tangible. Society is filled with  sycophants and very selfish individuals whose primary interest are always self driven, even when it seems they are pursuing a noble course, it is always directed to them at the end. To make meaningful contribution and create lasting impact in your environs then your interest in contributing must be genuine. It is unpatriotic not to do; and it is unpatriotic to do with ulterior motive. So you must serve even at your expenses. Recently, over 200 scientists were at a close site of a nuclear reactor in Japan that was badly damaged by an earthquake just to reduce and stop further radiation to their country and world at large. What do you think happened to them thereafter? 

   Do What Is Right And Stand Up For The Right Of Others

Of all the qualities I have mentioned, this one usually seems to stand-out as the most pronounced characteristic of a patriot – doing right and standing up for justice. Though these all sound right but few comply with these standards to fortify the values that will build our nation. A patriot is constantly burdened with doing right and also fighting for the rights of the less privilege; so it is absolutely unimaginable for the fellow to swallow the pills of injustice and public oppression. In his mind is the search for the common well being of his fellow mankind, whether as a religious leader, scientist, public servant, labourer or an apprentice. He seeks consistently to champion the advocacy of a better humanity. To borrow the words of Socrates, “he is a citizen of the world.”

To conclude let me re-echo the words of Theodore Roosevelt, the dynamic and charismatic president of the United States: “Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. It is patriotic to support him insofar as he effectively serves the country. It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that by inefficiency or otherwise he fails in his duty to stand by the country. In either event, it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth, whether about the president or anyone else.”    

Authored by: ANOINTED ENOH (Teacher and Personal Development Coach)