Your Independence Day
“… without equality there can be no democracy.” Eleanor Roosevelt Two hundred forty-five years ago, on July 4, 1776, thirteen of Great Britain’s North American colonies declared their independence from a ruling monarch because they believed, “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Independence means freedom from being ruled by other people or things. Imagine a world where each individual can celebrate personal and national independence days. Wikihow describes some great steps, including: Becoming your own hero Accepting life may not be fair Saving money Planning your day around you and more. This post’s quote is from Mrs. Roosevelt’s October 12, 1944 “My Day” essay where she wrote, Long ago, there was a noble word, liberal, which derives from the word free. Now a strange thing happened to that word. A man named Hitler made it a term of abuse, a matter of suspicion, because those who were not with him were against him, and liberals had no use for Hitler. And then another man named McCarthy cast the same opprobrium on the word. … We must cherish and honor the word free or it will cease to apply to us. Interestingly, “equality” blends the words ‘equal’ and ‘quality,’ suggesting that individuals and nations will be enriched where all are equals. Onward and upward everyone, and, Happy Independence Day! Enjoy Lots of Goodies Next Week Did you know that July 3rd [today] is Compliment Your Mirror Day? Here are ways to honor this special time. June 22 was the United State’s Kissing Day. In case you missed it [or want to celebrate worldwide], July 6th is International Kissing Day, which has great health benefits. Read more. Although all of July is Ice Cream Month. July 7 is dedicated to Strawberry Sundaes. Here are fabulous recipes. Image Source Eleanor’s Insights Collection Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with my photographs of ‘wild places.’ This week’s Featured Art reminds me of a song that compared freedom to how wild grass grows and wind blows. I love the glittering green of these grasses and their dances as they sway with the wind. Art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here
Life Well Lived #2: Independence
Too much of a good thing can be wonderful. —Mae West On a Wise Walk as part of the Cooper Siegel’s exercise program, I spotted Mae West’s [bio] words among many quotes printed throughout the Pittsburgh Mills Mall. Her thoughts about good things were always planned as the second ‘Life Well Lived’ post, which happens to coincide with Independence Day. In researching West, I learned that fashion icon Andre Leon Talley said she was the pioneering “sexual gangster” who blazed trails for Cher, Madonna, Rihanna and Beyonce. Among Mae West’s many, most quoted quips are: A hard man is good to find. Is that a gun in your pocket or are you happy to see me? I’ll try anything once, twice if I like it and three times to make sure. She began making movies in her forties. One year, her earnings came in second, a bit behind fabulously rich William Randolph Hearst. This wealth let West buy a building and remove the ban that denied entrance to a black friend. In the United States, July 4 celebrates this country’s Declaration of Independence from British rule. This day can also spark individual declarations of independence from inhibiting beliefs so that lives well lived can be built on more personally healthy and pleasing foundations. NOTE: The videos offered with each post are chosen for visual interest, inspiration, ideas and brevity. This week, enjoy Mae West. These financial resources are offered in my region. Check for similar support in your area. Small Business Assistance Pennsylvania grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 are available to qualifying enterprises that have suffered financially due to COVID-19. The first of several rounds opened June 30 and runs for ten days. Information & Application. Emergency Funding for Artists of Color. $500 grants are offered to artists living in Southwestern Pennsylvania’s nine counties. Funds can be used for rent, groceries, childcare, bills, etc. Apply here. Please share with those who could benefit. Each week, a featured item is offered at 25% off [plus any discounts offered by my Galleries]. This week, “Lacy Purple” is on sale. Also “Baby Grapes” from last week. Shop here. Thank you to everyone who visits the galleries and for your purchases. They support Succeed and Soar. NOTE The original image was shot with a Nikon Coolpix camera. The jpg was “developed” in Adobe Photoshop Elements 14. In addition to enriching the color saturation and vibrance, the image was processed through a filter that gives the Watercolor effect.