We have freedom in this country.  Independence, liberty, license, emancipation, liberation, manumission, autonomy… FREEDOM.  It’s under-appreciated. Why does it take holidays or national tragedies to remind us how lucky we are to live in such an amazing country?  The same country that, within its protection of us, still allows us to complain about its leaders, its governing methods, and its laws.

Of late, I have spent my days and many nights reading books about the history of other countries and cultures.  Many of these countries still today maintain limited womens’ rights.  Some nations are still undergoing the ravages of war, greed, and religious intolerance.  Humans are told what to believe and how to behave, what to think and how to live.  All of this is totally unfathomable to me in my every day life where I can choose from 20 different types of coffee to order at the local coffee bar and 15 different types of churches to choose from in my city alone.  This is almost impossible for me to relate to with thousands of items I can purchase at the grocery store and thousands of miles of gorgeous land to travel freely.  These sufferances are completely unimaginable to me with satellite radio and cable television which affords me hundreds of channels to view or listen to.

In America, we are spoiled.  How often do we remember to be grateful that we were born here or live here?  And, for those who have immigrated here, how hard it must be to miss your natal homeland that you love so much in trading it for a new one.  Yet, how exciting it must be for you to see a future that maintains no limits nor boundaries.  The stories of our nations’ origins and immigrants knit together this amazing legacy that belongs to our beloved country today.  But, how often do we remember to give thanks for it?  How often do we remember to pray for our soldiers, without whom we have no protection?

Granted, a lot is wrong in America… yet, a lot is wrong in this world.  We’re not a nation built on perfection, but rather one built on a dream, a promise, and an undying quest for true freedom.  We are a nation of every kind of person imaginable, each of whom have the ability to make their dreams a reality.   Whether it’s the tree-hugging vegetarian, the cowboy, the small business owner, the single mom, the family man, the actress, the priest, the fundamentalist, the artist, the cook, the writer, the salesman, the C.E.O., or the babysitter, in this country we are all equal and equally protected to maintain our personal belief systems.

My hope, this Independence Day, is that we take the time to remember what those fireworks mean.  It’s the exploding spirit of our nation and of our hearts.  It is the brilliance and beauty of our citizens.  It is our ability to live freely amongst one another.  It is the expansive land of opportunity that provides each of us a new day filled with hope.  It is the celebration of The United States of America.

Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance is sometimes also called the “Pledge to the Flag.” This is our American patriotic vow, which is often recited at formal government ceremonies, including Independence Day ceremonies, for new citizens. It a pledge of its citizens and residents to show devotion for our country.

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

 

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