I’m actually writing this entry towards the tail end of the 4th of July, even though I know this is going to post about a week from now. As I sit here typing these words and listening to the fireworks going off outside, I’m pondering the meaning of today’s celebration, which is freedom. At the top of those thoughts is the gratitude I have for some of the freedoms I’m granted in the United States.
Freedom to be openly gay and in a same-sex relationship is one of the huge ones. There are plenty of countries I could have been born in where people are imprisoned or killed just because of their sexuality.
Then of course there’s my gratefulness for having freedom of religion. Throughout my life, I’ve had the privilege to study and practice multiple forms of religion and have grown so much in my spirituality because of it. Yet, there are many places in this world where one wouldn’t dare pursue certain forms of it without either be chastised, seriously hurt, or killed.
There’s one other freedom I’d also like to mention I’m grateful for and that’s of speech. Here again, there are vast numbers of places in the world where speaking out about anything can land you in jail or worse. But here, in the United States, I have been blessed with the ability to write about whatever I want in this blog, including topics that are very politically or emotionally charged at times. And the same holds true with much of what I’ve spoken about during a large number of meetings and speaking engagements I’ve spoken at over the years.
I know most think of July 4th as simply a day off from work, one where they can relax, maybe drink a few alcoholic beverages, and set off some fireworks. But as I sit here and reflect on the remainder of this holiday, I find myself truly having a much greater appreciation for what Independence Day ultimately means.
So while I may not be feeling freedom yet from the burden of all my health and healing struggles I’ve been going through for some time now, I at least can feel a great amount of appreciation and gratitude for the freedoms that solely come from having been born in a country that fought so hard for them.
Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson
