McPIFP Goal for Week #23

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

As you are all probably well aware of (the big fireworks tents are probably a good clue!), this next weekend we celebrate the 4th of July. To other countries, it's just a date, but to our country... the United States of America... the 4th of July is a day to CELEBRATE!! Independence Day is a holiday commemorating the formal adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Although the signing of the Declaration wasn't completed until August, the 4th has been accepted as the official anniversary/birthday. It was first observed in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776, at which time the Declaration of Independence was read aloud, city bells rang, and bands played.

This document was the crucial beginning to our amazing country's path to freedom. My favorite line (one of the only ones I know!) is "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness". I especially loved this line when Martin Luther King Jr. quoted it for his ever popular 'I Have A Dream' Speech..... "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'

We've come a long way since both this document and MLK's speech, but have we really united as a free country and accepted each other as equals?? Yes, we've come a long way... but we can ALWAYS go further! Because of all the recent major morality issues that our country is debating over, I feel that we are a very divided nation. Let us take time this week to come together as ONE nation... difference of opinions aside.... to celebrate our freedoms. Our Pledge of Allegiance simply states, that "we are one nation, under God, indivisible....". Let us be indivisible this week--not divided--and instead of focusing on each of our own opinions, let us focus on each other; let us focus on LOVING each other; and accepting each other; and let us focus on celebrating our freedom with friends and family; let us set our attentions on real and meaningful things... not whether something is right or wrong, or if somebody offends you. Let us simply celebrate LIFE, LIBERTY, and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS! =)

I've included a link to Martina McBride's version of the National Anthem at this year's 2009 Super Bowl. This is probaby one of my most favorite songs ever! It always reminds me of how blessed I am to live here in the United States and no matter where I'm at, it always brings tears to my eyes and warms my heart. Let it do the same for you (if the link doesn't work-- copy and paste it into your browser).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RrJMDsToB0