This is a statue honoring George Mason that I discovered whilst wandering in D.C.. Despite being a lover of history, I had no idea who George Mason was, but I have quoted (or misquoted) him on occasion.

You may have also.

So here’s a quick top 10 on the other George..

10. He has a university named after him. George Mason University… obviously.

9. One of the founders of Alexandria, Virginia.

8. He said: “Don’t wait around for your life to happen to you. Find something that makes you happy, and do it. Because everything else is all just background noise.”

7. George and his wife, Ann, had many children. Nine of which survived to adulthood.

6. He grew up as a neighbor of George Washington.

5. Was one of three who helped draft the US Constitution at the US Constitutional Convention in 1787. But was not happy with the amount of power the government had, and thought it needed edits. He said, “I would sooner chop off my right hand than put it to the Constitution as it now stands.” He stood his ground with 2 other dissenters, and never signed it.

4. Drafted the Virginia State Constitution. Other states used his draft to draft their state constitution.

3. Leader in Virginia during the Revolutionary War.

2. George was a driving force behind the Bill Of Rights, and died about a year after it was ratified.

1. He said: “All men are created equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, of which they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; among which are the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing the obtaining of happiness and safety.“

Point to ponder while you wander…. John 10:10 tells us that Jesus came to give life and life abundant. Sounds a lot like the right to pursue happiness. Doesn’t it?