Good Morning! Happy 4th of July…
If you really want to appreciate what we have here in the United States, leave the country. Yes, travel to another country. At age twenty, I had an opportunity to study abroad and to this day, it was the best educational experience my parents could have ever given me (right up there with living in the Martha Cook Building at the University of Michigan). Living in another country and traveling through Europe allowed me to see first hand, through my own eyes, how other countries work and how people live outside of the United States. From the first visions at Gatwick Airport, I can still see in my mind and hear the airport attendant, “Brits to the right, Travelers to the left,” at six in the morning. the train ride on that bright sunny morning into London, the rackety track the train traveled on, the row houses, the laundry on the clothes lines, the little stone walls are all still very clear to me. Dragging our bags from Victoria Station out onto the sidewalk to hail a cab to the address in the Knightsbridge area where our red brick town house was. From that moment until the day I returned was a constant learning experience that would stay with me all these years.
Traveling through Great Britain and learning the history of a country so linked to our inception as ‘the greatest experiment in democracy’ as they call the United States of America, one quickly realizes why those early settlers were so willing to get on a ship that they were well aware of the fact that traveling the rough waters of the Atlantic, could swallow them up, especially leaving later in the season than expected. The oppression and social conditions in England were so great that it was worth the risk. Life was harsh in England and if your religion didn’t jive with the Crown’s Church of England, you could be and were subject to whatever rules and behaviors the current monarch wished to impart on you. There were little opportunities for the common person just trying to eek out a life for their family. Those who had an opportunity to seek passage to the New World, saw a better life for themselves and their children. Others who didn’t have the money, but sought passage as an indentured servant, were willing to work for seven years to have a chance for a better life. You ‘get it’ when you hear how harsh life was and bleak the opportunities were for most people of England.
You travel to France and you learn/read about the French Revolution and how hard conditions were for the common citizens at the time. Yes, Paris and the countryside are beautiful, but read Victor Hugo or any other author who writes of the plight of the French people who got fed up with an arrogant monarchy at that time.
Traveling on trains allowed time to talk to others and gain a sense of what those outside of the United States think of our country and Americans. A French man on a train told us, “Only in America could an actor become a President,” in his strong accent speaking very good English. “Do you all live like they do on Dynasty” (pronounced by the British, ‘Din-es-tee’-the drama on ABC back in the ‘80s starring Linda Evans, Joan Collin’s and John Forsyth about a very wealthy family living in Denver, living big and lavishly) a British gal on a train asked us. As much as the criticism we heard, there was the admiration for all things American. In general, my observations were that as we traveled, people liked to comment on our faults, but really, I think many had a fondness (if that’s the right word) for the way we live; the way we have fun, the way we take on culture, music and our celebrities whether it was a President from Hollywood (Ronald Reagan), a athlete who had a hot head, but could perform on the world stage of tennis (John McEnroe), an Austrian body builder who made it to America, Hollywood and marrying into a family of American royalty (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a ‘Jersey’ guy who became a TV star as high school student Vinny Barbarino and then went on to star in the movie version of the hit Broadway musical, Grease, John Travolta, or an ordinary guy who made it into the movies with one hit after another with his good looks and playing a variety of characters from the Chicago teenager throwing a party with call girls to becoming a naval pilot, Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell, in Top Gun (Tom Cruise). American women were generalized at carefree, beautiful and adventurous. Think Christy Brinkley, Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, Brooke Shields or Jamie Lee Curtis…
Despite the criticism from around the world today, America is still the land with the most opportunity, hands down, for anyone. That experience traveling at age twenty, is still with me today and it inspired me to be aware of how the rest of the world sees us, if for no other reason than to just be mindful. Knowing that, makes me appreciate the freedoms we have here…
Our country’s founders, in the Declaration of Independence, which we celebrate today, when those founders signed a document telling the King of England and the World that they sought freedom as a country from a King who levied taxes without representation and treated the colonists unfairly. Those who signed the document were sort of signing a death warrant that put themselves, their businesses and their families at risk. They felt it was worth the risk and had they not, we may not be here today. I hope you will read the document today to remind you of what that that parchment piece of paper declared. Most importantly that our freedoms were bestowed from God and not a king and that everyone has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Like us or not, our allies and freedom seeking countries around the world, KNOW that they can count on us in times of trouble. The world looks at us for leadership, research, getting things done. Americans know how to take on a task. Whether it is our military or philanthropic endeavors our helping hands like Samaritans Purse, Doctors Without Borders, the mission work our churches take world wide, our music, entertainment or our way of life, Americans will roll up their sleeves to do the job needed. AND, we know how to have fun and we can even laugh at ourselves. Who wouldn’t want to be part of that, or at least be a little bit interested.
There are other places around the world that offer their citizens an opportunity for a good life, we have friends who live elsewhere, be it Australia, Canada, England and other places, but it is in America where even the poorest of people, can make the most of opportunities available to them, be it an education, assistance, housing or food. The safety net available to well meaning people, who want a hand up and a chance for a better life is obtainable.
Today, our country celebrates 249 years of Declaring Independence. Freedom is not free and many have died or suffered, maintaining that freedom for us all. Don’t take for granted what we have here. Be aware of what is going on, educate yourself from reliable sources as to what is going on in our country and around the world. It’s easy to think that it will always be here. Look around the world and see how quickly things can change and it can happen here too. Pay attention…
However, for today, soak it all in, being mindful of how great it is to be free. Let your actions reflect the gratitude you have for our country. Any good relationship starts with respect, whether it is your spouse, your family, your friends, neighbors or coworkers You don’t have to always agree but respect is necessary in any relationship. Same with your country. It could lead to…A Great Day 🇺🇸 ❤️
