Happy Burfday, USA!

It hadn't really occurred to me before today.  A lot of people say that they are celebrating "the 4th of July."  First of all, why do we assume that everyone knows and understands what significance that day holds?  If someone were to be visiting from another country or another planet, for that matter, would they know why we're celebrating "the 4th of July"?  Did someone just pick a date out of the hat and say, "We're going to celebrate THIS day."

Of course not.

Again, it didn't really strike me as peculiar or off-kilter until it was pointed out that we have lost the reason for this celebration.  I don't think that we've forgotten as much as we have taken for granted that, "yeah, it's the United States of America and there was a war or something and now we have a government and stuff."

Perhaps we need to go back to reminding ourselves what actually took place over 200 years ago (236 years ago, to be exact.)  It was nothing short of a miracle that all of the stars aligned and this "more perfect union" emerged.

All things happen for a reason and it was no accident that the people were in place to stand up and resist an oppressive regime and incompatible form of government.  Incompatible in the sense that people could not flourish if not given the freedoms and self-government needed to  innovate, build, create and prosper.  In other words, pursue happiness.

We have so much innate potential, yet our own worst enemy is ourselves.  Once a liberating force took hold in this place and said "Why not?" it changed the game.  It changed the way we looked at ourselves.  We could be INDEPENDENT!  Captains of our own ship, pilots of our own destiny.  The only limit is ourselves.

NO WHERE ELSE on this planet could this have happened.  The stars aligned and Providence smiled down on the movement and the noble ones who took this responsibility seriously and pledged their very lives to see it through.

The next time that fierce independent streak rises up in you - when you are told "no, you can't do this" or "you must do this" - think about how this is the only place in the world where you have a choice.  You can speak out, you can take a stand, you can criticize - either alone or with a group, and you can disagree and boldly proclaim it.

Liberty, freedom, independence - these are the words that should resonate with every American and values which we should cherish and be willing to give our lives for.  Especially since so many already have.

Happy independence day.  Happy birthday, dear nation.  Long may you live.