Breakfast Club Reflections this 4th of July

I trek over to the Shechen guesthouse every morning to enjoy breakfast with a group of friends before heading to class. Somewhere along the line one clever member of the group dubbed our little contingent "The Breakfast Club." I don't believe there are any one-to-one correlations with the movie, but if we get to pick our actors than I'm definitely going with Judd Nelson...that dude rocked! In any case our Breakfast Club is a rather international group representing Germany, Denmark, Norway, Canada, Pakistan, the UK (if Zeid isn't sleeping in), and a number of Yanks.

The July 4th catch phrase in the Forward Movement devotional is, "Today's enemies are tomorrow's friends." As I look around the Breakfast Club I realize how true this is. If I had been around during the French and Indian War I definitely wouldn't have been accepting any almonds from Elena or probiotics from Jamie, because they would have been land-thieving Canucks. Had I been around for the first 4th of July I'd probably have gone all Good Will Hunting on my British friend Zeid, "How you like them apples!" If I had been around 60 years ago I would be denouncing my German friend Karen. And admittedly, as a child of the Cold War, I still feel a bit odd talking to Russian folks like my classmate Vit from Moscow. Furthermore, I can scarcely imagine (but have a vague idea) how folks from other countries regard me as I sit drinking my coffee with my American flag proudly displayed on top of my bookbag. I am not really comfortable in defining either myself or my country merely in contrast or at odds with other people or nations. So on this American Independence Day I intend to celebrate what America is on its own and not how it stands in contrast to others.

At the core America is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is a confederation of states constantly striving to be a more perfect union. It is the land of the free and home of the brave. It is a nation of the people, by the people, for the people. It is a land where all people are created equal, where all of God's children, black people and white people, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last! It is a country where people ask not what their country can do for them, but ask what they can do for their country. It is the leader of the free world, that when faced with global obstacles boldly responds, Yes we can.

Territorial squabbles, imperialism, fascism, communism and terrorism have all come and gone and some of them will probably come again. So as I celebrate this 4th of July from downtown Kathmandu, I pray that no matter what the adversity, the American dream continues to flourish and evolves into a global dream. Where life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness can be extended to all peoples, and on their own terms. Where justice and compassion can find that perfect balance. Where humanity can live symbiotically with its earthly home. Where all of today's enemies, indeed become tomorrow's friends. Happy 4th of July and God Bless America.