Admittedly, it’s not an impressive size flag, yet this is the little flag was strapped to my pack horse as I rode across the west on my Long Quiet Ride. So it’s seen this country, been waved to, honked at and warmly welcomed around campfires and kitchen tables of complete strangers that had the compassion and curiosity to let me in.

Likewise, singing is not my thing and won’t be my future, but this song played over and over and over again in my head and on my lips, and I found myself singing aloud time and time and time again with the clip clop clip clop of eight hooves in unison while I was out there, often with tears in my ears, falling in love with life again, and falling in love with this country – I can’t say “all over again,” but more like for the very first time. It was then and there, out there, during those moments of seeing flags, receiving innumerable random acts of kindness and prayers, and witnessing the beautiful generosity and trust, welcoming and kindness from absolute strangers that changed me forever and made me love this country and be proud to belong to it.

Happy 4^th of July! 

Cheers to this beautiful land we are blessed to belong to.

No, it’s not perfect. Neither are you. Neither am I. Yet each of us – all of us – and this country we share – becomes better with commitment, connection and contribution. Remember:

United we stand.

Divided we fall.

Let’s stop the whining. Stop the bitching and moaning. And definitely, stop the fighting. Let’s get our shit together, peeps.

Come together. Mind the gap. Fill it in. We’re all in this together.

Rather than focusing on the faults, let’s strive to find the beauty. In the land. In the people. In yourself. In the person next to you, no matter where they’re coming from or where they’re going to. They’re here. Sharing this beautiful land. This beautiful day. This beautiful life.

And what a beautiful country we’ve got to share! Have we forgotten? If so, it’s time to crack open our shells and find out for ourselves. Get out there and check it out. Go on, be brave, step outside your shell and see. Look around. Lean in. Look deep. Find some beauty, some magic, some wonder and awe. It won’t be hard to do. Open your eyes then open your heart and watch the walls fall down.

My fellow Americans, it’s time to tear down the walls we’ve been building, fill in that seemingly black hole between us that keeps us from coming together, and stop allowing ourselves to be thrown in the pit against one another. It’s time to find the courage to open our hearts, find some good in people we meet, neighbors near and far, strangers we pass on the street. We’re all in this together. Let’s strengthen the threads that connect us, and remember we’re all wrapped up in those stars and stripes together.

Whatever our beliefs, seems like we all pretty much want the same things. A safe home, a beautiful land, and a bright future for our children.

So what are we arguing over? Don’t you see how that weakens us all?

Have the courage to step away from dividing. Have the courage to stand together.

My coach reminds me, “Hurt people hurt.” I don’t want to be that person. Do you? Come on, let’s get over it. Stop hiding behind fears. Be strong enough to be nice enough.

May we all find common ground, beautiful threads that connect us, and tear down the walls that divide.

Until next time,

With love, always love,

Gin