Today is the fourth of July. We celebrate and wish others a “Happy fourth of July”, but I often think we lose sight of the significance of the day. We are not simply celebrating a day on the calendar. We are celebrating a concept—that of Independence…of Freedom. It is true that our nation’s founders declared their independence from England on July 4, 1776, but it did not decree our independence. A war had to be fought and blood shed to achieve independence. Independence, however, was not complete even as the United States of America became a nation. Independence and Freedom are the foundation of the nation, and, though we were (are) a people free from English rule, Independence and Freedom have been a process. It has never been a perfect process, but it has been (an should continue to be) a process of growth—of constant improvement.
It occurred to me this morning that our Independence is to be exercised, as well as celebrated. In exercising Independence, we must remember that there cannot be true Independence unless everyone be free—free to speak, free to choose, free to live, …free to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. We can never stop working out the details of what this means for Americans. We cannot deny the liberty of another and demand liberty for ourselves. Liberty and Freedom are other-centered concepts. Independence demands interdependence. Freedom has come with a cost. For some it has been blood. For some it has been the loss of loved ones. For all it costs a bit of oneself. Independence expresses personal liberty without causing harm to another. Freedom is an all-or-nothing concept.
Independence Day should be an expression of grattitude (gratitude + attitude).
Happy Independence Day!
Be your best today; be better tomorrow!
Carpe momento!