The Stars and Stripes,That's why

It's Memorial Day Weekend, and I'm ever so grateful. We're a nation divided now, and maybe we always have been in some way. We fought the British in a bloody war to revolt against authoritarian rule. We fought each other in an even bloodier Civil War. We fought for civil rights, the stars and stripes and to make the world a better place. Hamilton, Jay and Madison wrote the Federalist papers (before the Revolutionary War was to take place). They wrote (under the moniker, Publius) the mission statement for a fledgling nation. America was founded upon the ideas of John Locke, Judeo-Christian principles and The Enlightenment. Nothing like America had existed before it came into being, even with its imperfections. Yes, we can scrutinize everything. It's healthy to do so, but I just want to mention the bright side of this great country.

Freedom is a beautiful idea, but it comes with responsibility (a lot in fact). We get to say practically anything we want. We have regulation, some states more than others, but so much room to grow. We have the freedom to try, and that means we have the opportunity to fail, and to fail big. I've failed more times than I've succeeded, and I'm no different than anybody else.

I've made graphic novels that have been rejected; I've lost internships; I've been choked out in a tournament; I've lost money and friends. I've been given the freedom in a free society to go on my journey. I wasn't born in Russia, China or Cuba. I was born in a place where I am free to explore who I am. That's what this country is about. It's not about a guarantee of happiness. It's about the pursuit. I try to take that birthright to heart. I'm pursuing my passion, and I will fail along the way. We've fallen short as a country before, but we continue on the pursuit. We push onward and upward. That's what the stars and stripes is all about. It's about the freedom to journey to great heights. This is a time to enjoy the great outdoors, family and friends; it's also a time to honor the people who fought to give us this beautiful place.

No, we aren't perfect; we'll fail again; we'll continue to grow. Let's appreciate our failures as much as we appreciate our triumphs. We as a people, are free to pursue our dreams in a free land. Not everybody on Earth is this lucky. Enjoy this time, meditate on your journey. Soar as high as you can, and help others get off the ground; the sky's the limit here in the USA!