Happy Independence Day!

DenaJuly 2, 2011

Patriotism is a funny thing. Both of my grandfathers are veterans of foreign war, as are many other family members & close friends. For the great sacrifices that have been made—& are currently being made—I am deeply grateful.

I am by nature a peace-loving person, but the politics of war are more complicated than that.

This weekend I will be with my family, celebrating, eating good food, and watching beautiful fireworks displays. As my nation celebrates its Independence Day, it is important for me to reflect on my many blessings & on the sacrifices that so many made so that I could be right here, right now.

This Independence Day, I would love to see all people put aside differences in opinion (even just for a little while) and replace those differences with gratitude & love. (Whether you live in the United States or not!) 🙂

Live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about his religion. Respect others in their views and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.

Seek to make your life long and of service to your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, or even a stranger, if in a lonely place. Show respect to all people, but grovel to none.

When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.

—wisdom from Tecumseh (1758-1813), Leader of the Shawnee Native American People

Comments (2)

  • Lou Mello

    July 2, 2011 at 6:35 pm

    Would love to see peace and understanding in the world. That is the simple theme in Rotary along with our motto “Service above Self”. Just work on it one day and one person at a time.

    1. Dena

      July 5, 2011 at 11:24 am

      I really love the Rotary motto, Lou. What a beautiful call to action. 🙂

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