Independence - in effect, it is the attainment of freedom, liberty; self-reliance; self-government, autonomy; and self-sufficiency, that we commemorate as a nation on the 4th of February. This sense of national identity is, ideally, enhanced by our recent emergence from the cloud of terrorism since May 18 of last year.
There are differences of opinion as to the degree depth of our national identity, but here is a picture of where we might be if we tried, at least as free individuals, to be what we are wired to be in this nation. Consider what we might be if we were to:
Bloom where we are planted – being free does not mean we are limitless and can do the impossible. What it means is that we are enabled to thrive in the environment we find ourselves placed in. If you find a matter of society or law to be frustrating, do what you can where you are to fix it. This does not mean working around, but working with, the norms of this land. If you want to wake up to a nation that has integrity, you may want to start cultivating some yourself.
Give up armchair politics – clearly the world is not perfect. To recognize these shortcomings is essential, as good, conscientious citizens, but to dwell on them in our every waking moment, to discuss them over every family meal, to make them the subject of our unending criticism, serves no end and only encourages the idle mind in its journey towards apathy. Realize that the picture is very big, and that unnecessary emersion in the details blurs what we should really be seeing.
Live with open eyes – now that we have spent 62 years as an independent nation we ought to realize we are not the only people on this planet with issues to deal with. We aren’t the only ones with ruts in our main roads, beggars on our streets and trouble in high places. Have you noticed that even mother-nature strikes those who are already down? Why Haiti? Could not a more wealthy, concrete, country have borne the consequences of an earthquake better? Most of life’s questions go unanswered because sometimes not knowing why, makes our hearts grow softer, making us hurt together, respond together, even live together. Seeing the world for what it is and not taking Hollywood’s word for it can really put things in perspective for us, especially as the youth of this nation, willing and able to be more than we are right now.
Learn from the past - but consciously decide not to live in it – this past year we have been freed of the burden of terror. Or so we are told. But has one evil replaced another? Is there more division now than before the war was over? Have differences been highlighted rather than erased? Are there new conflicts arising where none existed before? We have come out of a great mist – must we go after new things to be blinded by? If there is something we should learn from history, it is that we need to put our differences behind us, for the sake of a forward journey. We cannot live in what we were. We must move on to where we ought to be.
Be on the side of progress – not just in terms of economic growth, but in terms of the growth of your mind. Freedom means to know who you are, as an individual, as a nation. There is no way to find this out other than by searching for and finding your niche, and thriving therein. It is not about overcoming every obstacle to reach the top, it is about treating your role (whatever it might be) with respect; believing it plays its part in this nation, and investing yourself in the future you want to have.
Independence is not only a right, it is a responsibility. It is an asset we have not yet fully tapped into. The future is, to a larger extent than we realize, in our own hands.
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