Is there another way I might look at it? Is there another question I could be asking? Is there a different way in which I might make meaning of these summer fireworks and parades?

The fourth day of July. Independence Day. The day this country declared itself free.

As a one who was born and raised north of this country's borders - I'm late to arrive at this celebration and party. As a Canadian-At-Heart - I find myself asking - what does this mean to me? How does it relate to my commitment to practice? What are the teachings? What are the lessons? What can I learn from this day?

I've been sitting with this for awhile...pondering these questions....wondering how it is I might put my words into thoughts...and more important - those thoughts into words.

Freedom.

The power and strength that comes from within.

The freedom that comes from overcoming the persistant resistance...the endless fears...the self-limiting doubts and never-ending questions.

Liberty.

The ability to choose and decide for ourselves. How we want to spend our time...how we want to live our lives...what we make of it...with whom we choose to share.

Autonomy.

The gift of inner-knowing...of self-acceptance and awareness. The light that shines bright in each and every one of us....separate and independant of all else.

Peace.

The quiet. The feeling. The pauses in between. The certain something that no one - but we ourselves - can steal away. Not without our permission.

Honestly - I don't know if it's this simple...or that complex. I don't know - really - anything much at all. And that then therein - it occurs to me - might be exactly the answer to this question. That- perhaps - true independance and freedom lie not in the answers...but in the questions themselves. In the comfortable discomfort of the never-ending practice and pose.