Live It Up!

This was written in response to a post on Comm where the poster said to live only for one's self.

> Life is too short to spend it as a slave of society and obligations.
> Live it up!

Fortunately for you, there are people who do take their responsibility to others seriously. In order for you to have the freedom to "live it up", to live free of any of the duties of a member of a civilized society, people have given their time, their strength, and their very lives.

Where would we be if George Washington (or any similar historical figure for non-US readers) had decided to "live it up!" instead of fighting for liberty and self-determination? Where would we be if the millions who died to stop the Nazi armies had decided to "live it up!" instead of fighting for freedom and democracy? Where would we be if those people who sacrificed to build, maintain, and protect our civilization decided to "live it up!" instead?

On a more personal scale ... Where would we be if the volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services personnel decided to "live it up!" instead of saving lives and property? Where would we be if Scout leaders, youth sports coaches, etc., decided to "live it up!" instead of volunteering their time for others? Where would we be if parents decided to "live it up!" instead of helping and teaching and guiding their children?

Where would we be, in short, if everyone was totally selfish, and forgot that the duties and obligations of a civilized human being are what makes civilization possible? Anyone who does not fulfill those duties ... anyone who chooses to "live it up!" while others do their share for them ... is a parasite. And just as a living body can survive, though not as healthy, with a few parasites, but will die if the number becomes too great, likewise a society will die if too many of its members become parasites, taking but not giving, using but not contributing.

Just as a body weakens and dies when its organs stop contributing, so too does a society weaken and die when its members no longer do their share. Remember that when you decide if you want to just "live it up!" -- after all, you have to live with the results.