What Does the 4th of July Mean to You?
"Government...[has] no other object than the general happiness. When, instead of this, it operates to create and increase wretchedness in any of the parts of society, it is on a wrong system, and reformation is necessary."
~ Thomas Paine
When we hear the indelible words, “we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness,” what thoughts come to mind?
For me, Life means autonomy. The opportunity to select what aligns with our lives and the lives of those under our care. We agree to abide by a social contract, but decisions that promote and sustain our purpose in society remain entirely our own, influenced by our unique perspectives, life experiences, personal beliefs, and moral obligations. Our chosen Life should not be scrutinized in a public forum or used as bargaining leverage for political gain. We should have a safe space to share our perspectives with others knowing that, while our choices may not be understood, they will be respected.
To me, Liberty is the freedom to live our chosen lives without fear of retaliation, mockery, or physical harm. The freedom to make mistakes, to be held accountable, to seek forgiveness, and to learn to become a better person without perpetual condemnation. Liberty is rarely free, though. It requires sacrifice, and the trauma and pain endured by women and men to achieve it should be felt and shared by the entire society. Freedoms can be (and sometimes are) abused, but they should never be taken for granted. With Liberty comes the responsibility to not abdicate our rights to actively participate in our government, to speak out against prejudice, and to promote equality.
Finally, the pursuit of Happiness means choosing a path that allows us to fulfill our purpose. It is these three simple words that cause thousands to brave treacherous journeys in the hopes that they and their children might pursue lives free from persecution and oppression. Happiness means something different to everyone. There are as many definitions of “Happiness” as there are people in the world, but, at its core, Happiness is waking up every day knowing that we can make a difference for ourselves and those around us.
Every year, people throughout the United States look forward to an extended holiday weekend spent barbecuing with friends and family, attending parades, and setting off fireworks, but amid the celebrations, we must remember that the work of freedom is never finished. There will always be disagreements, differing opinions, and conflict, but we can choose to reach for understanding, to empathize, to engage in constructive communication, and, above all, to respect each other. At the end of the day, our own Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness are intrinsically tied to those of our fellow Americans. When we view our fellow countrymen as co-laborers in constructing freedom and equity, we can find common ground, and we can recognize our collective value.
“Forgiveness condones nothing, but it does cast off the chains of anger, judgment, resentment, denial, and pain that choke growth. In this way, it allows for life, for freedom. So, that’s what’s at stake when it comes to forgiveness: freedom. With this freedom, we can feel better, be better, and choose better next time.”
~ Michele Harper
