Friday, April 8, 2011
Just a little dust up, thank you
With more than just a little frustration, I've been watching this latest haggling over the budget. Now except on my "other" blog (Since When and Who Said), I don't really comment on politics or other touchy subjects, so I'm just using the moment, the situation to make interesting point about how wonderful our country is. Yes, that's what I said. We've had all sorts of controversy, people piling into the streets with signs and bullhorns, talking heads from all angles and opinions shouting and arguing and yes, getting a little carried away now and then. I get a bit twisted myself at some commentary, at how people take a seed of truth and run in all sorts of directions with it until it's unrecognizable. Nonetheless, what makes me rejoice even in the face of aggravation is how utterly free we are, not only to express ourselves, but also to go places and do things and enjoy each other and make plans and dream and work and all the while to know it's all possible. Sure, we have obstacles, problems, setbacks, even tragedies, but we're also free to recover to regroup to heal and comfort each other and to have hope again. Sometimes I think we forget that not everyone in the world has that. Freedom and democracy give us that precious commodity known as possibility. We have our flaws, no doubt, and because we have this marvelous openness, we must tolerate disagreement and bickering and even some ugliness, and sometimes we get stuck and lost and confused, but if we look at history, we always find our way back on track. On top of it all, we constantly air our dirty laundry in front of the whole world. Do we enjoy that? No, but it's part of what makes us who we are. Lord knows, we could hide some of this nonsense, but how we're out there and everyone's seeing "how we make the sausage," so to speak...that just makes me smile. Here we are, World, working our way down the road, stirring up dust and scuffling with great enthusiasm. Keep watching, though. America will emerge from that swirling cloud, stronger and brighter and ready for the next battle. Oh, the fight's not over by a long shot. As long as this is still America, we'll have a wide variety of opinions, voice them loudly, and continue hammer out some sort of agreement. I hope that never stops. Through adversity and challenge we grow and improve and sometimes even learn a lesson. So tonight, I'm celebrating. I'm so grateful to have been born here, to live here, to enjoy the benefits of this country. Some struggles along the way? Worth it. Worth it. Worth it!!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Definitely a great time to reflect on the MANY positives of this great country! One might not suspect, but I am ALWAYS deeply touched when I hear the National Anthem. It is the spirit in which this great nation was founded that I love to call to mind. Certainly we have room to grow as a country as well as individually. However, when hearing how others are imprisoned in foreign lands for speaking their minds, being forced into things like marriage, or not having more than their alloted number of children I am humbly brought back to reality. It is also true that just like the weather we go through highs and lows. It is during the droughts and famine that we call to mind the feeling of a full belly. You could not have put it better when you said "Through adversity and challenge we grow and improve and sometimes even learn a lesson.". We can only hope that we learn it the first time around!!
ReplyDeleteFrom the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam,
God bless America,
My home, sweet home.
Amen, Angela, amen!! Thank you for the beautiful comment and the song. I'm singing this morning!!
ReplyDeleteDonna, I really like the new name you've given to your blog--it's perfect for you and your reason for writing.
ReplyDeleteI've traveled overseas a fair amount, and people from other countries do marvel at Americans' sense of independence and freedom, but they also do not quite understand it fully. My friends in England sure do not get it in many cases--or maybe they are just envious. Freedom is now fully in our blood, but with that freedom comes responsibilities. I sometimes wonder if too many take freedom for granted too much of the time.
Bertha
Oh, there's no doubt about that, Bertha. Some people want all the freedom and none of the responsibility. Luckily, that's not the majority, although we often hear those voices over many others. Just as I always "preach" to my students, we must educate ourselves, be well informed, and search for the truth...always. Most of us are wise enough to know better. You're WISE all the time in more ways than just your name.
ReplyDelete