I've been listening to a lot of people talk this past week and one of the common catch phrases I have been hearing is, "I'm proud to be an American". This sentence is being blasted across our news media, and frankly, I for one am sick of hearing it. And I'm tired of hearing it because it is a sentence too often used or said by ignorant people who do not even know the definition of the word "pride".
In a time when the United States is despised by so many people across the world, it would seem we would best serve our nation by showing some good old fashioned humility. That's right...I said it...humility. "Pride" in this country has become synonymous with power, capitalism, and control. Our "pride" has driven us as a nation in much the same way fear does...we attempt to conquer rather than to understand, to fight rather than to wage peace.
Perhaps with an ounce of humility, we could all as Americans be THANKFUL rather than PRIDEFUL to live in such a diverse and beautiful land. We could be thankful for our freedoms and work to free others less fortunate than us. We could give to each other rather than attempt to accumulate through gluttony. We could seek to understand those who are different than us in culture and faith rather than trying to mold them in our own likeness.
I cannot say I am "proud to be an American", but I can say with sincerity I am "thankful to be an American". I am thankful for those who have fought historically for my many blessings of freedom today and I am thankful for the peaceful warriors who continue the humble battles waged daily in this country. I am thankful I can say what I want in this blog without fear of retribution and even death. I am thankful I can celebrate July 4th in any fashion I choose.
Today, I am thankful for the wonderful abundance I have because I live in the United States...and I am humbled by it.
Happy Independence Day...
3 comments:
WELL SAID MY FRIEND!!!! Humility is something we, as Americans, should learn to exercise (beginning with the White House).
many of us do not agree at all with this group in the White House but at least for now, we can be expressing our disdain and hatred of their values and try to keep working for the ideas we believe in Very thoughtful and beautifully written blog today
Humility and gratitude are both things that most American's don't understand.
Sometimes I wonder what direction we are all going in....because we, as a country, seem to be on a slippery slope, don't we?
I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to read your blog today, and if I haven't told you lately, I think of you often. Wishing you a great bar-b-que and plenty of relaxation. Hope your day was a great one!
~~hugs~~
Post a Comment