Meditations for the Fourth of July
Finding Encouragement While Honoring Independence Day
Jul 4, 2009
Americans enjoy a level of freedom not found in many parts of the world. Among these liberties are the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and the right to peaceably assemble. In today's world these liberties can easily be taken for granted. It can be comforting, even encouraging, to reflect on these privileges.
The Independence Day holiday serves as a perfect opportunity to celebrate American freedom. One method to mark the holiday involves performing Fourth of July meditations. The following points are one that a person might consider when performing an Independence Day meditation.
Personal Liberty
Americans are generally free to do what they want. It is a country where one is free to pursue one's dreams. Since this is not an option in many places, Americans are fortunate.
Of the many rights Americans share, "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" set the tone. They are the foundation for a national dream, and certainly worthy of rumination.
Freedom of Religion
United States citizens enjoy the right to worship as they see fit. If one's worship is not a danger to others, one is free to express any religious belief.
Establishing a new religion is always an option. It is well-known that in some countries, imprisonment (or worse) is the response to the practice of some religions.
Freedom of Speech
Americans can say what they wish. Rare exceptions include words that can be perceived as threats to others. Even in such circumstances, there is much debate.
An example is the citizen who burns or otherwise desecrates the American flag. Although offensive to many, it is now considered a form of free expression.
Freedom to Peaceably Assemble
Citizens are permitted to congregate and voice their collective opinion. This is usually seen in the form of protests, but it can mean simply that they have the right as a group to gather and debate. This can now be seen in the virtual environment.
Facebook is a good example of a site where individuals can share ideas. Thanks to his ingenuity, Mark Zuckerberg and his associates at Harvard created an atmosphere that allows people to assemble and debate issues. Many individuals find that meditating on specific concepts helps to calm the mind.
One way to combat anxiety is to focus on being thankful. Americans of all people have much to be grateful for. The ability to move about at will, voice opinions, poke fun at leaders, and practice one's religion is — as one popular commercial puts it — priceless.
Regardless of one's interpretation of the forefathers' actions, the American experiment has been like no other. Former President Bill Clinton, in several television talk show interviews, has said, "For 200 hundred years people have bet against America, and for 200 years they've lost money."
Being Grateful for Autonomy
On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted to break from British rule. They debated and revised and two days later approved the Declaration of Independence. Upon reflection, the individual American would do well to consider what he or she is going to do next to uphold the great American experiment.
These are just a few concepts for meditation during this important summer holiday.
Source:
- The Declaration of Independence, USHistory.org., see "Related Information."
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