The Dream of Equality and Freedom

By
The United States has never been a perfect nation.  For almost 250 years, we've had a dream – an ideal of equality and freedom under God.  And even though we have never really lived up to that, the dream has not only remained alive, but has inspired others around the world.  Some were people who left everything they knew and came here, hoping to build a freer life with more opportunity.  Some were nations who changed from within to create their own just and enlightened societies.


We've fallen short a lot of the time, but there has still been a light that shone out and made a lot of positive difference in the world and in people's lives.


Yet right now, our leaders are carrying out indiscriminate arrests of people who might be in our country illegally, claiming that they're targeting "violent offenders," even though most of those arrested have no criminal record at all.  Our President has gained political traction by claiming that immigrants have "bad genes" and criminal tendencies.


It's awful, but it's happening.


We're being asked to accept lies as truth.  And we're fiercely divided.  Instead of one nation attempting to come together for the good of all, we're turning on each other.  There are political, racial, and ethical divisions.  We don't even agree on what the problems are – forget agreeing on the solutions.


And then there are the churches where partisanship has become the message.  It's louder than the message of grace.


The whole mess is enough to make you feel hopeless.


stormy flag



A new birth of freedom


We've been here before.  In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln looked at a nation that was tearing itself apart and believed it was worth defending.  He said, "We are not enemies, but friends.  We must not be enemies."


That wasn't an accurate assessment of the situation.  It wasn't what was actually happening at the time.  Rather, it was Lincoln's hope, his ideal, his dream, his choice.


We have to start dreaming again.  Not about dominance or revenge, but about renewal.  About a return to our ideals:

  • where we tell the truth
  • where we act with integrity
  • where we stand for what's right, not what's most profitable
  • where we solve problems instead of making new ones
  • where we support our allies instead of provoking them
  • where we value and learn from our differences instead of fearing or hating them

And it begins with us, dear readers.  We can't wait for our leaders.  We need to choose this for ourselves, and then try to practice it with those around us, and then call for it in our capitals.

... that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that the government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Abraham Lincoln, 19 November 1863




Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 3, 2025 at 9:57 AM

    Amen, sister! I live in an area where people are already afraid to stand up and say these things openly. Some of my ancestors came to what was not yet the United States to escape religious persecution back in the 1600’s. They were mostly called Protestants, though some were Catholics, too. They wanted freedoms not allowed by the kings of Europe at the time—free speech and the freedom to practice their religion according to their conscience without being thrown in jail or killed for it. The “American dream” was not really about money, but about being able to live in peace and without fear. These ancestors held our Constitution as a precious gift. We are a strong nation. We can and will get through this. Thanks, Karen, for having the courage to stand up and speak the truth and for being an inspiration to us all! We must stop listening to the powers who want to divide us. We also really need to turn off the media and look around at who our neighbors really are as individuals and treat them the way we ourselves would like to be treated—not a new concept, but one we seem to have forgotten.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen TrefzgerJuly 3, 2025 at 10:27 AM

      Yes! The American Dream used to be about freedom of conscience and opportunity. We will get through this, but we have to be brave. And you're right that we need to treat others as we would want to be treated -- the perfect and only law to live by. Thanks for your comment.

      Delete
  2. GinaJuly 3, 2025 at 11:06 AM

    This is a highly politicized topic, obviously. Not sure what it has to do with minimalism. And I'm not sure that "dreaming" is the answer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen TrefzgerJuly 3, 2025 at 11:24 AM

      Not so much about minimalism as it is my thoughts as the 4th of July approaches. You're right, "dreaming" alone won't make much difference. That's why I suggest at the end that we need to choose our behavior, practice it with those around us, and then expect it from our leaders.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

18 Places to Use the 80/20 Rule to Help with Decluttering

By
Image
Back in 1906, an Italian economist named Vilfredo Pareto noticed that just 20% of the population of Italy owned 80% of the land. That makes sense.  Few people are rich, and they're the ones who own most of the stuff.  So Romanian-American management consultant Joseph Juran developed the concept further, by observing that 80% of results come from 20% of causes .  For example, in 1988 the New York Times reported that about 80% of video rental revenues came from just 20% of the stock.  Microsoft has noted that 80% of crashes can be prevented by fixing 20% of the most-reported errors.  Studies show that approximately 80% of healthcare expenses accrue to 20% of patients. Juran called the 20% the "vital few," and that's why this principle can help with decluttering.  If we can identify our "vital few," we can remove all or most of the rest. You don't think this seems possible?  Hmmm.... I almost always wear the same coat, though I own two others. I have a p...
Read more

Why You Need to Explore the Surprising Opportunities of Minimalism

By
Image
My journey to minimalism has been going on for a long time now – more than 25 years.  It has not been a linear path.  After all, I live in the modern, materialist world!  Sometimes it's been two or three steps forward and one step back, but the freedom and peace of minimalism are always worth returning to. * By the way, this blog is reader-supported, with NO ADS.  If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission. Learning that I have enough Take my wardrobe, for example.  In the rainy, colder months, I rotate three favorite pairs of jeans.  This spring I decluttered two winter tops that I had barely worn, leaving six that I enjoy and can cozy up with a jacket and a hand-crocheted scarf.  This summer, I'll continue to wear jeans, but I'll stay cooler wearing sandals plus some short-sleeved tops.  Even with temperatures in the 100°F (nearly 38°C) range, six or seven tops is enough, especially since I usually run a load of laundry twice a w...
Read more

How to Live Like You're Rich (Part 3)... Even If You Don't Have the Budget for It

By
Image
Being rich isn't just about having a large bank balance, rental real estate, or substantial investments.  An important part of being rich is your mindset.  An "abundance mindset" sees opportunities – for relationships, personal growth, and financial security.  In contrast, a "scarcity mindset" sees problems and limitations – which can lead to fear, envy, hoarding, and stagnation. (By the way, if you missed them, find Part 1 here , and Part 2 here .) 30 ways to live a luxe life as a minimalist (Part 3) 21.  Use your nice things. Why are you saving that expensive candle someone gave you for your last birthday?  What are you saving it for?  Light it this evening and enjoy it.  Do the same with the expensive body lotion stored in your cupboard, the real jewelry in the pretty box that just sits on your dresser, and your "company" dishes and glassware. It's true you might not be able to afford to replace the candle or the lotion once they're gone.  B...
Read more

Low-Cost Hands-on Hobbies that Help You Lose Weight

By
Image
Guess what?  "Grandma hobbies" are growing in popularity, and they might even help you lose weight! These cozy hobbies include things like knitting, crochet , embroidery, baking, and gardening.  You could also add "Grandpa hobbies" such as jigsaw puzzles, whittling , and leatherwork. (I'm not trying to be sexist, but I know plenty of men wouldn't try embroidery, and a lot of women wouldn't consider whittling.  Whatever.) Even if you don't become a master of any hobby, scientists say there are a lot of benefits gained by pursuing them.  "When people immerse themselves in a hobby, they often find an escape from daily pressures, creating a space where they can unwind and recharge," says Patricia S. Dixon, a licensed clinical psychologist from Florida. Of course, many hands-on hobbies allow you to create useful and beautiful items for yourself, for your home, or for gifts.  That's why many of us craft jewelry or make candles.  With the simp...
Read more

Enjoying Analog: How to Spend More Time In Real Life

By
Image
I lived a third of my life before I ever touched a computer.  I'm from the age of typewriters, TV antennas, and corded phones that you rushed to pick up because there was no such thing as an answering machine.  When Star Wars was first out (yes, I mean A New Hope , but we just called it Star Wars because it was the only one), it stayed in theaters for over a year – and we stood in long lines to view it for the third or fifth or twelfth time, because there was no way to play a video at home.  The only way to see Luke destroy the Death Star was to go with your friends and see it on the big screen. So here we are, decades after that first computer (and it was really only a primitive word processor that could also store and sort data, such as inventory or an address list).  Today I carry a computer in my hand that has thousands of times more speed and millions of times more memory than those early desktops.  It replaces the telephone, phone book, radio, pager, cal...
Read more