"All we have of freedom, all we use or know,
This our fathers bought for us long and long ago."
~Rudyard Kipling, 1899
"Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be
daily earned and refreshed ~ else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots,
~Rudyard Kipling, 1899
"Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be
daily earned and refreshed ~ else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots,
it will wither and die."
~Dwight D. Eisenhower
Today I am grateful for the liberties that I enjoy as a citizen of the United States of America. I am grateful to the courageous men and women who fought hard to establish this nation founded on noble principles of freedom, equality, honor, and justice. I am grateful for the men and women who dedicate their lives to upholding our system of justice. And I am grateful to the dissenters who challenge the system and shed light on the places where injustice still exists, giving voice to the powerless.
There is still work to be done, clearly, in the way of ensuring true equality for all people—people of every race, color, creed, sex, or sexual orientation. There is work to be done if we are to have peace or restore financial stability. Ours is not a perfect system, to be sure, but let us not lose sight of the freedoms we have. Let us not take our liberty for granted or become jaded by cynicism or lulled into complacency. As Bill Clinton once said, "There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America."
If "freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men" then peace, honor and justice begins with each of us. Each one of us can make a difference. We can choose to live our convictions. We can give voice to our grievances in a thousand different ways. We can get involved in local or national politics. We can write, speak, hold meetings, sign petitions, make documentaries, create art that moves people to action. We can educate ourselves. We can start community groups and be the change we wish to see. We can respect and honor those with whom we disagree.
In gratitude for the spirit of freedom. Let it ring loud and clear!
There is still work to be done, clearly, in the way of ensuring true equality for all people—people of every race, color, creed, sex, or sexual orientation. There is work to be done if we are to have peace or restore financial stability. Ours is not a perfect system, to be sure, but let us not lose sight of the freedoms we have. Let us not take our liberty for granted or become jaded by cynicism or lulled into complacency. As Bill Clinton once said, "There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America."
If "freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men" then peace, honor and justice begins with each of us. Each one of us can make a difference. We can choose to live our convictions. We can give voice to our grievances in a thousand different ways. We can get involved in local or national politics. We can write, speak, hold meetings, sign petitions, make documentaries, create art that moves people to action. We can educate ourselves. We can start community groups and be the change we wish to see. We can respect and honor those with whom we disagree.
In gratitude for the spirit of freedom. Let it ring loud and clear!
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