The fourth of July has taken on different meaning for me this year in the wake of political, social, environmental, and economic unrest. We appear to be a country divided...divided by political views, by social injustice, on care for Mother Earth, and an economic rift steeped in lack. What we witness in the news, in communities across the country, in casual and intimate encounters, and in our own experiences with a vastly changing climate, breeds fear - fear of the future for ourselves, our families and loved ones, and our Mother.

Reflecting on this holiday, I returning to the words of our founding fathers...

In Congress, July 4, 1776,

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. 

Seems as though we've strayed far from our long ago belief. And as we look at this famous statement of truth, we must even push past the appearance that half the population seems removed (women) and that slavery was still highly practiced. IF we shift to higher vision to really see "men" as humankind and add All Living Things - plant, animal, human of all shapes, sizes, genders, race, orientation - we embark on a journey that truly honors Life. While I realize this is a big if (big because we know the shortcomings of those "Declaration men", big because it is a huge leap to look beyond what seems to be), I encourage each of you to really hold to this as our original intent...an all encompassing vision.  This is our direction, our destiny. This is uplifting our consciousness out of the depths of the darkness that seems to surround our great divide and beckons us to give up our pain, suffering, lack, prejudice, judgments, and fear...once and for all.

So, in honor of the childhood memories that are burned in my brain, let's do a timely rewrite to the preamble of the Constitution that addresses the spirit of this well intended document:

We the people, in order to remember our perfect Union with one another beyond all limitation, establish Justice and insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense of Universal Grace by wrapping all in love and light, promote the general Welfare by supporting and valuing one another , and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and all life and our Prosperity by embracing God's abundance, so ordain and establish this New World constitution for the United States of America. 
 

Happy 4th and many blessings on your path,
Adriene