It's been a while... time for some random musings

So, it has definitely been a while, my friends. Being busy with work and life has taken me away from my ability to blog frequently. However, the reason I thought to write again is because of something I was watching on TV yesterday morning.

I have gotten in the habit of getting up at 5 every morning to go to the gym. Right now, it's my only form of relaxation. The only place I can really free my mind of everything and get some peace. Anyway, after my early morning gym rat experience, I was watching the TLC show 'Little People, Big World.' It has always been a favorite of mine! This episode struck something deep inside of me though. On this episode, the father was helping a family move from Iraq to their new home in the states. Several of the children in this family were little people and because of this, have had a very hard time in their home country. As they were en route to their new US home, the episode shows them singing one of our country's patriotic songs... I think maybe "America the Beautiful"... at the top of their lungs. These children, who have been exposed to things I can't even fathom, knew every word to that song & sang it like it was a pop song from the radio. It hit me that I probably don't even know half the words to that song. Why am I not that proud and excited to be living in America? I'll admit, after hearing those kids sing, I sat there and cried for a few minutes. Maybe I'm just a cry baby, but in that instance, it just seemed like such a beautiful and amazing thing to hear those children sing that song about America.

I'm writing about this, I guess, because it is so close to our country's "birthday." I realized just how lucky I am to be where I am. To have been blessed with the ability to grow up in a land of freedom, where I can make my own decisions, be a strong woman that has big dreams... not be exposed to violence and horrors at every turn... I take this for granted... I think we all do. We all have hardships, trials and tribulations, but turn around and really think how lucky we are. We have people risking their lives (voluntarily) to make sure that we are safe. Even the less fortunate in the US have far more than the less fortunate in just about any other country. America has it's problems, yes. This is something that we know, all too well. But as a whole, we are so very lucky to be a part of this country that we call home.

I don't know if I'm trying to make a point or if I'm just writing, but I really just felt a conviction to share this. We live in a great country, in a terrible world... we should be more thankful. At that, I hope everyone has a very happy 4th! Remember what we are celebrating & enjoy those fireworks! :) <3