freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better. - albert camus

Americans have the 

freedom 

to CHOOSE to be happy, 

prosperous and healthy.

A birthright given to us by our fore fathers and clearly outlined 
in the Declaration of Independence.

The 4th of July is a time to reflect and appreciate all that we have

REGARDLESS

 of position, rank or material wealth. 

We have within ourselves 

the power to be ALL 

that we can be.

 How many of us choose to let opportunity pass us by? 

How many of us choose to blame others for our lack?

Many Americans that have had the opportunity to 

live in another country under another government can see all that we have. 

Many have said they didn't realize the opportunities that 

we have until they are no longer available. 

These past few years have enabled many Americans to see 

from this perspective as lives have been forced 

to change during the economic crisis.

This also could have a different perspective, one of 

opportunity to change for the better. 

Growing pains

 have never been easy 

but when we finally reach 

new levels of understanding, 

we can see how we are stronger and better for it. 

This is a time for new opportunity for Americans as 

individuals and as a nation to grow 

stronger and  better.

When you read the Declaration of Independence, 

our fore fathers had a dream and a vision of 

what they wanted to build for their children and future generations.

 As a nation, town or individual, 

we live today what they created yesterday.

 Of course, 

we are people united as one nation. 

We share in the joys and prosperities as well as the adversities. 

Ideal growth for an 

individual is to grow,

 become stronger and

 build on adversities 

when they arise. 

"Make lemonade 
when life hands you lemons". 

When we take the opportunity to use the 

challenges that life throws at us, 

to grow and learn from them verses 

throwing blame and anger onto others, 

we grow as a person and as a nation.

The power to change the future for a better nation 

starts with 

each individual. 

When we do our part as an individual 

we contribute to the growth and strength of our nation, 

building upon the hopes and dreams

 our fore fathers left for us. 

In turn, 

what we create today, 

we leave for our children.

When celebrating this Fourth of July, 

whether it's a Bar-B-Que with family or friends or watching the fireworks, 

take a moment to reflect. 

As you watch the fireworks bursting in the sky,

 be thankful that you have a CHOICE to be 

free, happy and live a prosperous life.

Whatever you choose to do with your holiday 

remember 

where this day came from and what it stands for.


Life, Liberty 


and the 


Pursuit of Happiness.

Click on image above if you would like to read the full transcript.

(source: Article by Jennette Royster)

29.

today's post is dedicated to one more year in my stinkin' 20s . . . glad they're almost over!

Advice, 

like youth, 

probably just wasted 

on the young

{A newspaper column by Mary Schmich, published by the Chicago Tribune on 01 June 1997.}

Inside every adult lurks a graduation speaker dying to get out, 

some world-weary pundit eager to pontificate on life 

to young people who’d rather be Rollerblading. 

Most of us, alas, will never be invited to 

sow our words of wisdom among an audience of caps and gowns, 

but there’s no reason we can’t entertain 

ourselves by composing a 

Guide to Life for Graduates.

I encourage anyone over 26 to try this 

and thank you for indulging my attempt.

Ladies and gentlemen of the class of ’97:

Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. 

The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, 

whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more 

reliable than my own meandering experience. 

I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty 

of your youth. 

Oh, nevermind. 

You will not understand the power 

and beauty of your youth 

until they’ve faded. 

But trust me, in 20 years, 

you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way 

you can’t grasp now 

how much possibility lay before you 

and how fabulous you really looked. 

You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don’t worry about the future. 

Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as 

trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. 

The real troubles in your life are apt to be things 

that never crossed your worried mind, 

the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing 

every day 

that SCARES you.

Sing.

Don’t be reckless with 

other people’s hearts. 

Don’t put up with people 

who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don’t waste your time on jealousy. 

Sometimes you’re ahead, 

sometimes you’re behind. 

The race is long and, in the end, 

it’s only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive.

 Forget the insults. 

If you succeed in doing this, 

tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. 

Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don’t feel guilty 

if you don’t know what you want 

to do with your life. 

The most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 

what they wanted to do with their lives. 

Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don’t.

Get plenty of calcium. 

Be kind to your knees. 

You’ll miss them when they’re gone.

Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t. 

Maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t. 

Maybe you’ll divorce at 40, 

maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. 

Whatever you do, 

don’t congratulate yourself too much, 

or berate yourself either. 

Your choices are half chance. 

So are everybody else’s.

Enjoy your body. 

Use it every way you can. 

Don’t be afraid of it 

or of what other people think of it. 

It’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.

Do NOT read beauty magazines. 

They will only 

make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. 

You never know when they’ll be gone for good. 

Be nice to your siblings. 

They’re your best link to your past 

and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, 

but with a precious few you should hold on. 

Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because 

the older you get, 

the more you need the people 

who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, 

but leave before it makes you hard. 

Live in Northern California once, 

but leave before it makes you soft. 

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths:

 Prices will rise. 

Politicians will philander. 

You, too, will get old. 

And when you do, 

you’ll fantasize that when you were young, 

prices were reasonable, politicians were noble 

and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don’t expect anyone else to support you. 

Maybe you have a trust fund. 

Maybe you’ll have a wealthy spouse. 

But you never know 

when either one might run out.

Don’t mess too much 

with your hair 

or by the time you’re 40 

it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, 

but be patient with those who supply it. 

Advice is a form of nostalgia. 

Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, 

painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.

But trust me 

on the sunscreen.