I spent the whole day at the “Doheny Beach Park” in Dana Point this Independence Day. There was a Potluck and Barbeque Event sponsored by the El Toro Baptist Church to celebrate the 4th of July with their congregation. It was a very hot day at the beach and true to form, the landscape was dotted with a sea of tents, umbrellas and innumerable people fleeing to the beaches to cool off and watch the fireworks display in the evening. The air was a mixture of fresh ocean scent, the distinct smell of suntan lotion and smoke from barbeque pits.
At 9PM a flurry of explosions and colorful pyrotechnics display signaled the beginning of the show that lasted a little over 30 minutes. The concussion of exploding shells and awe-inspiring colors that filled the sky intermittently drowned out the patriotic songs and hymns that accompanied the show. The assault on the senses had a power of remembrance that is unique to every person, intersecting only along that glorious quest for “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”.
Much rather like a 4th of July fireworks display, America is a participatory democracy that is just as noisy, just as full of chaos amidst a backdrop of wondrous natural beauty, of human ingenuity and achievement. To derive the best experience from the “Land of Opportunity”, people are required to take the initiative and apply themselves. Along those lines, experiencing a great 4th of July holiday mimics life in general. The best places from which to view a fireworks display are reserved for those enterprising individuals who started the day early and arrived ahead of the crowd to stake the best viewing spots.
That brings me to an interesting conundrum. I am the recipient of food stamps in the amount of $162 per month – hardly the experience of someone imbued with initiative and drive. A few days ago, my friend Ray whom like myself is also homeless and living in his car made the pledge to ourselves that at the end of this month we will cease being recipients of handouts. We've resolved to completely stop taking anything, be it money or food, without offering something in return. There must be a quid pro quo – value for value. Amidst all the turmoil in my life, I crave now more than ever a good life; a desire met only with compatible principles of high personal productivity.
I came to America to give and not to take!
