It has been said that we take better care of our cars, or bicycles, or snowmobiles, than we do of ourselves. The thinking is that if we took better care of ourselves, than we do of some of our worldly possessions, the health benefits would be enormous.

  We would feel better and the costs of operating our health-care system could be less.

  Similar thinking can apply to the way many people, if not most, take so many things in Canadian life for granted.

  We take it for granted that when we turn on the tap, the water will flow.

  We take it for granted that when we turn on a wall switch, electricity will flow and the light will shine.

  We take it for granted that somebody will be there at the hospital to help us in a time of medical-service need.

  We take it for granted that somebody will plow our streets, police our neighbourhoods, or fight a fire should one break out; after all, we have paid our taxes!

  We take it for granted that somebody, somewhere, is ensuring that the quality of the water in the Great Lakes will remain pure and that invasive species will be repelled, or taken care of somehow.

  We take it for granted that somebody else will volunteer at the church, or the fall fair, or at some other community-beneficial activity.

  We take it for granted that our politicians and civil service bureaucrats are doing their very best for the electorate. In fact, they may very well be.

  Sadly, some parents take it for granted that teachers will do their parenting jobs for them.

  Sadly, many people take the freedoms we enjoy in Canada, for granted and seldom give democracy a thought; let alone cast a ballot in an election.

  Whether you are rich, or whether you are poor – or somewhere in between on the economic scale – we all have to be better Canadians.

  If the majority of us gave up even 10 per cent of our entertainment time – watching television for example –  and focused on how we could better involve ourselves in our communities, our country would be an even better place.

  If the majority of us focused on serious issues that are confronting our country, whether they be about immigration, natural resources, secrecy in government, health care, transportation – pick one – our country would be a better place. By “focused on” I mean considered an issue and took some action.

  Making Canada a better place is a bit like doing a good job as a parent, it starts with you. More of us have to get involved in Canadian life.

  Let’s not take so many things for granted in this marvelous country of ours. Let’s all devote some time every day, or every week, or month, to make our country a better place in which to live.

  Fortunately for all of us, there are people who strive to keep Canada the wonderful place that it is. We applaud them, but they need our help, our involvement, our advice, our viewpoints, sometimes our financial assistance.

  Canada Day should not be only on July 1, it should be 365 days of the year; or, whatever you can spare.

 We need more Canadians doing more all across Canada for the good of us all.