celebration and appreciation!

"expressing joy and appreciation for what we learn as well as what we achieve"

Last night as I was planning on writing this blog today I had a rather odd dream that I am certain that related to this blog in someway. I can't remember at all what the dream was or what it was about, so unfortunately I can't repeat that here to be able to share it with you. However, it made enough of an impression on me that I figured I might as well mention it for kicks.

I am not sure exactly what to write for this blog. It seems as though it would be easier to write than the blogs which dealt specifically with conflict, but actually I think conflict is easier to talk about. Mainly because with conflict there is more to complain about than with something like celebration and appreciation. However, I'm sure it wouldn't be mentioned in the arts of democracy if it wasn't important to democracy.

In the United States, the dates on which we really celebrate and appreciate our rights as American citizens would be President's Day, Veteran's Day and Independence Day. However, I think that most Americans, particularly youth since that is what I am and what I've had the most experience with, don't really take the time to appreciate or celebrate the rights we have in a democracy. Therefore, we never really take the time to consider what has been done in order to give us these rights in the past, especially on a day like Veteran's Day when we consider the soldiers who have fought in past and current wars for our freedom. Mainly those two holidays, meaning Veteran's and President's Day, are nice days to have three day or even four day weekends and visit Portland or Vancouver. And, the fourth of July is usually a day that we spend with our friends and family and watch fireworks. But, I do not think that many people take the time to reflect and celebrate and appreciate on those designated days.

So, I suppose this art of democracy is important otherwise people take their rights for granted, which is what they do in this country. At least I know I take my rights for granted and do not take the time to celebrate and appreciate our democratic achievements.