Freedom - July 4th

Happy Friday Mermaids!

Tomorrow is the Fourth of July, (which is tied with Halloween for my favorite holiday). I love everything about it…grilling hamburgers and hotdogs, going to the beach and watching the fireworks. But most of all, I love what July 4th represents… freedom. The holiday and this week's history-making events got me to thinking, what exactly is "freedom"?

We all think of freedom as the right to choose how we live our lives. In America, freedom is democracy. The right to be "free" and the opportunities and possibilities we have because of freedom is something we take for granted. The "inalienable rights" that we enjoy- are stated in our Declaration of Independence and guaranteed by our constitution, grant us the liberty that so many people in the world, particularly women , are not afforded. Americans can elect and impeach leaders, practice any religion… AND marry whoever they love!!!

If we lived somewhere else in the world, Mermaid Life may not exist. Our "Sea-E-O" wouldn't have the freedom to start a new business, simply because she is a woman. She might not be allowed to receive a basic education, much less the knowledge needed to start a company. We are truly blessed to be living our own "American dream".

For the 239th anniversary of that first declaration we hope you take the time to appreciate all of the men and women of our Armed Forces that defend freedom here and around the world.

1. "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same." - Ronald Reagan
2. "The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are." - Jim Morrison
3. "Freedom lies in being bold" - Robert Frost
4. "Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility." - Eleanor Roosevelt
5. "Money won't create success, the freedom to make it will" - Nelson Mandela
6. "We hold our heads high, despite the price we have paid, because freedom is priceless." - Lech Walesa
7. "The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off." - Gloria Steinem
8. "Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious than to be able to decide." -Napoleon Bonaparte
9. "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." - Thomas Jefferson
10. "d like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free and wanted other people to be also free." - Rosa Parks