Freedom. Belonging. Hope.

Today, freedom occupies my thoughts.

Who is free? Who is not? 

Why not?

What does it mean to belong to a country, a state, a community, to myself?

I remember my visit to the United States National Archives, gazing in awe at the Declaration of Independence through the protective glass. 

The British Library topped my list of non-negotiables on our trip to London. I knew I couldn’t leave without setting my eyes on the Magna Carta, written in 1215. 

This earlier declaration of human rights inspired the ideas and hope embedded in the 1776 declaration. Both documents reflect respect and protection of our humanity, our belonging, and our responsibility to one another.

We often hear about this democracy of ours as the “grand experiment,” and one that seems to teeter in uncertainty now and then. We seem to be living through one of those periods. We can drown in despair or hold strong to hope. 

I choose hope.

With hope comes gratitude, the quality of being thankful, a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.  Perhaps, the more important remembrance in the world we face today is that we are all part of one humanity.

How willing are we to be thankful? How often do we make the effort to show appreciation? The part of this definition that poses the greatest challenge may be the willingness to return a kindness.

Gratitude’s best work comes from our actions. How will we choose to act today? How will we show gratitude for our shared humanity?

Consider this . . .

“You cannot change any society unless you take responsibility for it, unless you see yourself as belonging to it and responsible for changing it.”
—Grace Lee Boggs

Freedom, belonging, hope . . .

I always welcome your thoughts, so please leave a comment

And always—

Be kind. Be brave. Be you.

Photos © Kathryn LeRoy