Go to the United Kingdom on July 4th as an American and you are reminded that our celebration of independence is a one-sided celebration. No vacation day here, no red-white and blue flags flying, no barbecues or dips in the pool…just an ordinary Tuesday in July. It gets you thinking about how all too often we only look at life from our vantage point. That we think everyone should think like us, be like us, agree with us. And you then realize that life is more than just our view of the world. The world view, even the local view, has to consider both sides of a story. We have to work at this every day, the more effort we put into understanding the differences we have as people and cultures the better the chance that we can all live together, co-exist, and even help each other. The common good is a big concept and it can live on when we think about others, especially those who are different than us. Today I realized that while the Brits might not celebrate Fourth of July they can respect us, enjoy us and support us (friends forever)…..Now all we have to do is to take this lesson with us on our THPL journey and remind ourselves that we need to look both ways before casting judgment. A better life it will be!

Loving life when I turn and see all that is around me