Is it Independence Day or Liberation Day?

I have been thinking a lot about the last big anniversary of America that I celebrated. 1976 seemed a more funner more patriotic time. It was the aftermath of its own revolution. Oh, yes, we were involved in the reconstruction from an unpopular war, and unpopular President, and all kinda of shenanigans of the political kind. We had a lot to digest! Americans were reeling! Yet there was little pessimism, certainly little talk of the end of Democracy.

But I was a youngish adult then, twenty-five, out of High School for 7 years. I was in my first significant relationship. What did I know? My limited perception was it was the time of back to the land, be kind to the planet, Peace, Love and Rock’n’Roll. It was also a time of identity ambiguity, whether it be gender, sexuality, social roles. For some of us it was a great time of exploration of ideas, norms, a softer approach to the task of living. It wasn’t always easy. Money was tight. We got by whatever means we could. And really looking back, us young folks didn’t expect a whole lot.

(Personally I took the back to the land approach and moved to the Unitah Mountains in upper Northern Utah, for years. But that is another story!)

For some of my generation it was confusing times, especially if returning from a foreign country we were at war with, not sure even why most of the time. Some of these individuals grew up sloshing through bug infested swamps, with boots and foot fungi that never quite healed. Some came back with less limbs, broken dreams, and things we just couldn’t talk about, especially to their girlfriends. Some of them never got over those horrors, yet continued on little glory. Some are names on a wall in Washington, D.C.

Some of us were fortunate in our seemingly unfortunateness. We skated between the cracks of the norm, not always due to faults of our own. We were maybe a little too savvy for the “man”. They could smell it on us. We weren’t built for total compliance. We read too many books. We thought we had them fooled. Or maybe we were the ones fooled. We did what it took to bring home the paycheck. We followed the rules, payed the taxes, voted, believed believed we could make a difference, if only “They” would listen. The American Dream was a steady job, family if you were so inclined, a dependable car and a two week a year vacation. Everything else was gravy.

Funny thing “They” just don’t really care.

Yet every election we think maybe they will this time. So we vote and in those first few days of electoral fervor-we have hope that this nation will truly represent who we are as Americans.

So this season of Celebration as I enter my Seventy-Fifth year, I realize I have much to be thankful for. I made it without most of the hardships some of us have had to endure. Politically I have been happy at least one time. Everything though has been a struggle, and never perfect. I tried.

So what is left for me as the role of an American is to try to be my higher self. I will continue to pay my taxes, stay informed, keep my opinions to myself unless you ask for it-and I mean Ask for It. I will mow the lawn, take out the trash, pet your dog, wave when I drive by, fly my flag, donate to my favorite causes, protest once in awhile and of course vote.

But most of all I vow to ascribe to the principles of this day , the 4th of July, should truly represent-Our Grand Experiment to Be Our Better Selves as Humans. Truth, Justice and the American Way…oh wait a minute-That’s Superman’s oath!

Enjoy!

*meme courtesy of Divine Purpose blog…..