What can I write about Independence Day?
It would be easy to decry it as a sad celebration of all that’s wrong with America (gluttony, sloth, wastefulness, excess, etc.). And further, during this worship of our shortcomings our minds are so distant from the reason for the holiday that it becomes an idolization of America and our selves rather than an appreciation of how ridiculously much we’ve been blessed through our independence.
Yet I don’t want to write about that.
I think having an opportunity to relax, spend time with family and friends, enjoy bright, colorful explosions in the sky, and eat loads of food is great. Taking too much time and energy to be critical about everything leads to the death of enjoyment. And while I wouldn’t normally say something like that because our culture is sure to err on the opposite side, uncritically accepting or rejecting everything they come across, I think it’s an important thing for some of us to remember.
While you would be entirely justified in dwelling on your disgust for much of American culture, make sure you don’t forget how to relax, let things go, and enjoy the blessings that so few others in this world have.
A lesson we all can benefit from.
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