With Strong and Active Faith

Franklin D. Roosevelt

It's been a long time since I've written (or done) much of anything. I've reached a crossroads in my life—two distinct paths have opened up to me: one appeals to my wandering soul, while the other requires a great deal of persistence and hard work.

One path would be a comfortable road for me—while the other would be extremely uncomfortable. There are voices (in the world and within myself) that would urge me to take the comfortable road. "Do what makes you happy," the voices would say. "Follow your bliss." As nice as that sounds, I feel compelled to reject those voices. I have sat, quite comfortably, at the crossroads for a long time and I can tell you that comfort isn't happiness. Fulfillment is a product of labor. Joy comes after the exercise faith.

I recently finished watching the Ken Burns documentary on the Roosevelts. I was struck by how much each of the Roosevelts (Teddy, Eleanor, FDR), successful as they were, struggled with depression and heartache. As each episode detailed their secret struggles, I marveled at how each of them found the strength to persist—to move forward.

I was particularly inspired by Franklin D. Roosevelt, who, after being crippled by Polio at age 39, was able to tap into an inner faith that led him onward. He became the President of the United States and led the nation through the Great Depression and on to victory against Nazi Germany. Any way you look at it, his story is absolutely remarkable.

A few days before FDR's death, he worked on a speech—which he never delivered. Those words have become known as Roosevelt's last words—and they're a testament to the kind of life he lived. Here is the final part of that speech:

Today, as we move against the terrible scourge of war—as we go forward toward the greatest contribution that any generation of human beings can make in this world- the contribution of lasting peace, I ask you to keep up your faith. I measure the sound, solid achievement that can be made at this time by the straight edge of your own confidence and your resolve. And to you, and to all Americans who dedicate themselves with us to the making of an abiding peace, I say: 

The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith.

We often refer to Roosevelt's generation of Americans as "the Greatest Generation." I think we do that because of how they moved forward with faith even though everything seemed to suggest that the world was collapsing around them (the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and World War II).

I have many reasons to doubt myself and to search for an easier road. But after reading Roosevelt's words, I feel compelled to move forward with strong and active faith.

Perhaps you, too, are searching the strength to move forward. I urge you to continue onward. The road may be hard, but the reward of faith is great. Hellen Keller put it this way: "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

FDR's last, undelivered speech.