Independence Day-2009
Jul 3rd, 2009 by maat45
I’m not going to write about the barbecues, fireworks, beach, parades or “sales of the century”. Independence…that’s a very valuable word, a very valuable state of being. Not all of us can expect to be totally independent…maybe none of us can, regardless of wealth or perceived financial status. What does it mean to me…to you? It’s having a mind with which I can dream, aspire; a soul which tells me what’s right for me, living according to my principles and beliefs and the spirit with which to do and be all of those things. Independence allows me to live for myself whilst yet considering, helping others. And sure…if it comes with a good measure of stubbornness…can be difficcult for others to tolerate and accept! But, above all, it requires I afford others the right to their independence. To strive in making the most and best of their God-given life. I was fortunate to have been born and raised in a country (and of parents) who encouraged me to feel free to question, to strive, to think for myself. I have been fortunate to live in countries which didn’t thwart that spirit. Many are not. For quite some years…and especially more recently…there has been much talk of the immigration “problem” in this country. I say this country because this is where I make my home, these politics affect my life. (I don’t think, these days, the situation is much different in the UK). There is a militia of sorts in force; there is talk of building a wall, armed guards of which most are in favour. I’m not…never have been and for a multitude of reasons which, I admit, seem impractical and unreasonable to most. The link (below) came through my email today…I subscribe to this particular website newsletter. I watched it, I cheered, was yet again moved and thought how fortuitous to arrive this particular weekend. I’d like to share it. How fortunate are we that this man believed in the opportunities and independence would afford him.
Now, not everyone in his shoes will have or choose the career he did. Some may be workers of the fields, others in a chicken plant, some clean homes, hotels and other institutions, some build habitations, malls, factories. Most of them will take whatever job they can find that many of our own would scoff at, work for wages that others would refuse because they “make more on welfare without breaking a sweat”. No matter what they do, they contribute to our lives and way of life…most more than those who would sit on their backside and take rather than give.





