Let Peace & Freedom Ring

Happy 4th of July everybody! Sam and I say let freedom ring!

What does freedom mean to you? Does it mean the right of free speech? Does it mean the right to be treated equally no matter your sex, religion or color? Does it mean the right to bear arms (all you pistol-packin’ poopheads)?

Hopefully freedom doesn’t mean to you that you have the right to shoot someone just because you feel insulted or that you can exceed the freeway speed limit because you think the weather conditions allow it or that you feel it’s okay to dump your cigarette butt, hamburger carton or soda pop can anywhere you want .

A lot of people say that freedom is guaranteed by our constitution. They say, “We have the right to do this or that, yada, yada, yada.” Sam and I argue that our constitution could easily be shot full of holes and the so-called rights we have could be terminated with extreme prejudice, if you get our drift. We prefer to talk about freedoms as privileges. We feel privileged to be able to walk in the park with the sunshine on our backs. We feel privileged and spoiled to have so many kinds of dog food to choose from. We feel privileged to be able to attend services at the church of our choice (okay, not Sam, obviously). We feel privileged to be able to sit outside at a coffee store and munch cookies with our coffee.

Personally, Sam and I think freedom really begins with peace. I heard a great song again recently, one I had almost forgotten about. The song is Let There Be Peace On Earth. Here’s a snippet from the lyrics.

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me.

Let there be peace on earth

The peace that was meant to be.

With God as our father

Brothers all are we.

Let me walk with my brother

In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me

Let this be the moment now.

With every step I take

Let this be my solemn vow.

To take each moment 

And live each moment 

With peace eternally.

Let there be peace on earth,

And let it begin with me. 

The song was written in 1955 by Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller. Many people have recorded it. One of the best known versions was sung by Vince Gill.

Not only does peace begin with each of us as individuals, but so does freedom. It really only matters what’s inside you whether you have those things. It’s funny how much we prize individuality in this country, yet don’t practice it to achieve freedom and peace. You are the only one who can choose, consciously or unconsciously to have peace or freedom. Unfortunately, having personal freedom and peace requires giving up anger and bitterness, prejudice and combativeness. Like another song says, “You can’t have one without the other.”

Happy 4th of July friends.

“Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.” (Desiderata)

And a couple bags of poop on you if you don’t.