Before I forget: Happy Independence Day! I don't know about you, but sometimes it seems strange to say that. It's not that I am not patriotic -- I am! -- but in the state of our political and civil discourse, I wonder what we are celebrating?
Yes, we have the U.S. origins story of fighting for and proclaiming our independence from England, and we have centuries of people who have protected democracy and our freedoms.
But, I wonder, what else has this day become for people... besides a summer holiday that allows us to gather, share food and games, and watch fireworks displays?
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| Do you want to win over others? (Photo: Sack Race, Independence Day, Old Town San Diego - Larry Gardepie) |
We are living in a very divided country right now where there is a constant tug of war between ideologies and dualistic thinking. The fireworks go off between us as one side struggles to be right and assume the other side is wrong, where one side must win at the expense of the other. Is this exercising our freedom?
Healthy discourse -- which centered on progress and civic support for everyone -- has been supplanted by conquest over and ridicule of The Other. Maybe these struggles have always been there... but it seems to have surfaced in very ugly ways.
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| What tugs at you? (Photo: Tug of War, Independence Day, , Old Town San Diego - Larry Gardepie) |
Depend means to trust, rely on or support another person; In + Depend is not depending on a person; and the definition of Independence describes freedom from control, influence, support or aid of others.
Is that what is happening when misunderstandings and anger are aimed at one another? When our freedom solely supports our individuality?
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| What displays of freedom do you show? (Photo: Big Bay Boom Fireworks, San Diego - Larry Gardepie) |
I would invite us to consider different ways to demonstrate our freedom and independence: we must develop skills that balance what is important to us by asking and listening to what is important to others. This form of dialogue allows us to navigate the ideas that crowd the intersections of our lives. Without honoring and respecting both individuality and community, we overflow and obstruct what any of us desire.
We must work together!
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| What happens after the celebrations? (Photo: Crowds leaving Fireworks, San Diego - Larry Gardepie) |
Blessings to you this Independence Day! May we seek what unifies us so that we can celebrate how we are dependent, independent, and interdependent. We have a responsibility to one another!
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| Larry Gardepie (click on link for website) |
