Celebrating the Concept of America the Beautiful

As I celebrate 4th of July in this beautiful country, my home, America, I begin to think of not only the sacrifices of those who came before, our founding fathers and mothers,  and the concepts they had for this country, but I am struck by the current sacrifice that many of our very own men and women are making to assure our freedom today. I find America, as a place, the most beautiful land in the world.  There are parts of America that take my breath away like the first snow fall in the Rocky Mountains, Fall in New England, the Redwoods of the Pacific Northwest. All of these things are epic in scale and beauty.

What I am contemplating this 4th of July is America as a concept. The concept of inclusion, the concept of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all people. I think that may be what's missing when we look at how America is currently perceived by much of the rest of the world. Yes, we are blessed with riches and abundance in resources, yes, we, as America, have always shared our resources with the rest of the world.  Perhaps, I think what is missing now in perception of the concept of America, is that in "America" we do not judge or are not intending to judge the lives of the rest of the world. We, as "Americans" are here to hold the space for others to be as they are. (As long as their beliefs and actions do not physically endanger our rights to be as we are).

This is not a a point of view that we are better than anyone else, it is that we are all different and we all have different paths and destinies.  If we individually, and governmentally could hold the space for each person and nation to have what they have, do what they do, and believe what they believe, and defend all rights to do that, the world may become a more peaceful place.

On this Independence Day weekend, this non-judgemental concept of America is an idea in which I am excited and proud and hopeful to live in. Thank you to everyone, all of our military and our military families, current and past, who hold this idea and are willing to sacrifice their lives for my freedom.  I am eternally grateful.