If you are feeling sad today or a bit weary, you are not alone. You are feeling the collective grief. This quote from Benjamine Cremer says it all, “Grief is a form of patriotism, too. This 4th of July, many of us won’t be waving flags or watching fireworks. Not because we hate our country, but because we love it too much to pretend everything is fine.”

I choose to shine the light on hope, resilience and the amazing people that make this country a beautiful place. Here are some thoughts of promise, inspiration and a call to action.

“This Fourth of July, we do not need to perform patriotism. We need to practice democracy. Independence is not a feeling. It is practiced when we deman that rights be real, that freedom be usable and that America live up to the promise generations before us fought to make real.” — Stacey Abrams

“A Charge and Blessing for America. May we tell the truth about where we have been. May we honor both the beauty and the brokenness of our collective story. May we grow in courage. May we grow in compassion. May we become more just. May we become more welcoming. May we become more honest. May we become more whole. May liberty become more than language. May justice become more than aspiration. May welcome become more than poetry. May this birthday give us more than what we ask for. May this next chapter honor our becoming.” –Shani McIlwain

“Those ideals upon which our nation was built—They are strong enough to endure any authoritarian regime, but only if we reach for them. Therein lies the work of America—The striving, the bettering, the reaching towards perfection. What power each of us holds, to bring America ever closer to the greatness so many have seen when they looked upon these shores—The greatness that, for 250 years, has been America.” — Mayor Zohran Mamdani

“We simply don’t have the luxury or time to be cynical or complacent, to wring our hands in despair, to wait for someone else to fix the problem. Hope is all we have, because hope is the essential spark that lights the fire of change. But hope is a choice, whether or not we use our voices to speak up is a choice. Voting is a choice. Being a decent human being is a choice. Believing that we still hold the power to build a country that reflects us all is a choice. The Obama Presidential Center is a living testament to the power of choice, y’all.” –Michele Obama

“One way or the other, November 3, 2026, is going to be one of the most significant days in American history. For those who pray, meditate, or do any kind of energy  work related to the powers of consciousness, we should begin now to use the power of our mind and heart to bring harmony and peace. May the day be blessed and all beings be protected. May the day be infused with love and light from a holy Source. May no weapon formed against us stand. May all forces of oppression and violence be cast into the nothingness whence they came. May any and all malevolence be nullified. May our nation be forgiven the many ways in which we have not lived up to our principles;  have recklessly and irresponsibly treated people, planet and animals; and arrogantly put ourselves above others. We atone for our mistakes and pray for the chance to begin. May we become a better country now. Amen” — Marianne Williams