“The essence of America, that which really unites us, is not ethnicity or nationality or religion. It is an idea, and what an idea it is — that you can come from humble circumstances and do great things.” Condoleezza Rice

Happy Monday! 

I hope you had a fantastic weekend!

Tomorrow is July 4th. Many of us fashioned a long weekend in anticipation of the celebration. Some of us have been working. And others of us decided to spend time at home. Whatever your situation, I hope you took some time to rest and reflect on the meaning of this holiday.

We commemorate the Fourth of July to remind us that we have inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, crafted in 1776. Additional rhetoric reminds us that we enjoy freedoms, such as freedom of religion, speech, the press, and assembly. Sometimes we forget the essence of the celebration, and that’s unfortunate because the fight for liberty was nearly impossible, but for the character of the men and women who championed the cause.

The following is a quote from Condoleezza Rice. Its message is essential and has far-reaching implications in our lives:

Photo by Trent Yarnell. No copyright infringement intended.

The rights and freedoms deemed necessary enough to fight for allow us to explore and experience just about anything our hearts desire. We may have had humble beginnings, but we are unstoppable in our pursuits because of the liberties gained. Our country affords us the opportunities to pursue.   

Some of us have also had humble beginnings. Perhaps we weren’t born into a family of privilege and have struggled to become people of means. There’s no shame in being humble or coming from modest beginnings. Some of our world’s most noteworthy leaders began their quest similarly.

Here are a few thoughts about July 4th from others:

“Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness.” Louis D. Brandeis

“America was built on courage, on imagination, and on unbeatable determination.” Harry S. Truman

“Dreams are the foundation of America.”

Lupita Nyong’o

“I believe in America because we have great dreams and because we have the opportunity to make those dreams come true.” Wendell L. Willkie

“America is not only the place where miracles happen, but where they happen all the time.” Thomas Wolfe

“Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and human dignity.” Herbert Hoover

There’s another who came from humble beginnings and who changed the world.

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (NKJV)

Think of a time you felt humbled. Now remember how you felt after your first triumph. I wonder how many of us can go back to the time of dreaming about our future and realize that we now have accomplished what we set out to achieve. Allow yourself to imagine experiencing the first July 4th. While you continue your celebration tomorrow, with the rocket’s red glare and the bombs bursting in air, remember the essence and give thanks for the freedoms you enjoy.

May your days be blessed with every right and freedom!

Happy 4th of July!

Be Well & Be Blessed!

Lucinda