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