Independence Day, the day we are supposed to celebrate our freedom from the binds of persecution, the freedom to go and do as we please in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Unless you want to marry someone of the same sex (up to a few days ago).  Or eat/smoke/drink of a natural plant God put on this earth.  Or have equal access to education, health care, and a prosperous life regardless of race or social status.  Or be a woman and have the same opportunities and pay grade as a man.  Or be able to live according to your spiritual beliefs without fear of government or organized persecution.  Or have the legal right to grow your own food and livestock.  Or be free from the corporate chains of electric companies and produce your own energy.  Or trust that those in power (who you elect) are really looking out for your best interests.

Oh man, I feel like I could go on and on.  Is it bad that I’m not feeling too patriotic or proud to be an American these days?  I love what this country could be, what its original intention was.  But it’s all basically gone to shit, hasn’t it?  What’s it going to take to unite this country and have our motto “Out of many, one” really ring true?  (Aliens??!)  All we do is fight and pick sides.  It’s like all of life has become this competition where we have to choose a team and fight to the finish, no matter the means.  When this country was founded on the exact opposite principals.  Out of many, one.  Yes, we’re all different.  But that is what makes it so great.  No matter how many different “ways” there are out there to do things, we unite in love and pride for this country and what we’ve created it to be.  We can make it better again.  But we have to let go of the competition attitude.  Everyone has a voice.  Everyone is free to express that voice, and we can’t deny anyone their freedom of choice in their own personal and bodily affairs.  Government was created in this country to protect that right.  That was the whole point.

What I AM proud of today, is that people are waking up and a great shift is coming.  We’re seeing the old systems fall, and we’re rewriting our story.  When my generation and the generation after have the majority rule, big things will happen.  Until then, I’m along for the ride, spreading as much love and light as I can, staying informed and following my heart.  To quote my late uncle from one of his songs: “Ask your heart for the answer, ’cause it never forgets.”