Birthday Cake, Fireworks, & World Peace : Thoughts on the 4th of July.

I swam in the ocean on the 4th of July while watching fire works and enjoying conversation with my best friend. Other than dodging flying fish, and wrestling the monster waves of the shores of Galveston (It was a yellow flag day) it was a really nice time. It was quite a sight to see as I watched the thousands of Americans lining the sea wall, illuminated and in awe by the beautiful explosions in the sky, filled with alcohol and patriotism.

Tiffany, the daughter of some of the friends I vacationed with, turned 3 on the 4th. It was made known to everyone that this day was Tiffany's day. We celebrated Tiffany. She was showered with shiny multi-colored plastic toys, she ate cake with her hands, and America even rose to the occasion by throwing parades, and shooting fireworks...all for Tiff. Is she going to grow up with a complex or what!

So with all of the birthdays,and celebrations, a thought dawned on me while swimming in the ocean that night.

Birthdays are great because they are about other people taking the focus off of them selves to celebrate one person. Birthday's, when done right, leave a person feeling loved, honored, and accepted, and respected.

I find it extremely sad though, and awkward, and somewhat pretentious when someone throws a birthday for themselves.

Here's the thought.

How great would it be if instead of throwing a big party for ourselves every year, the nations around the world would throw birthday celebrations for one another. What if China threw America a birthday party...do you remember the opening ceremonies at the Olympics this past year?!...that was a party. What if Russia threw Africa a party. What if America celebrated...Iraq?

I wonder if wars would cease. I wonder if we would become a little more concerned about the problems that plague others places. Maybe instead of the world viewing us as fat lazy Americans, they would see some extremely hard working, and loving blue collared individuals that make up this country. I have to think that more people would live to see another day.

I wonder if the worlds biggest problems and divisions would be solved if we were to hand or were handed a piece of birthday cake in celebration of one another.

Another hippie pipe dream? Yeah...but to me it just makes more sense.

Don't get me wrong I'm not knocking America or the 4th of July. I love apple pie, fireworks, and freedom, after all I'm free to write this blog because of what this country provides me with that freedom.

All I know is that Tiffany was a happy little girl on that day, because she was celebrated, and respected, accepted,and honored by her friends, and family.

I wonder if this world would be a happier place if the nations were to celebrate, and respect,and accept, and honor one another by simply throwing them a birthday party.

-Ben