These last few years have been one for the books. From mass shootings to police brutality, a pandemic, to coronavirus, and now inflation. Jeez, I am exhausted from that list and am at my parents’ dining room table.

So like some of you, I may find celebrating the 4th of July a bit cringy. What exactly are we celebrating? Roe versus Wade is overturned? Paying over $6 for gas? Prisons filled with black and brown young men?

However, we do live in a country, where I can write this. We do live in a country where you can speak up and vote. With that all being said, here are some ways to celebrate this 4th of July with hope in your heart.

Read a thought-provoking book:

Find a book about the prison abolishment movement, LGBTQIA rights/history, and economic history, and read it. Learn from another perspective, and start asking yourself some hard questions.

• Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption 
• A Cup of Water Under My Bed
• Best on Progressive Economic Theory: Good Economics for Hard Times

Self-Care:

Maybe the problems of the country just weigh heavy on your heart. It’s okay, to take a break and use this day to relax.

• Make some herbal tea
• Listen to a relaxing audio story – you’re never too old for a bedtime story
• Go for a walk outside with no social media

Make Some Desserts:

Bake some red, white, and blue desserts, and then stuff your face. Go the extra mile, and bake your neighbors some treats.

• Blueberry muffins
• Cherry pie

Donate To A Cause:

Use this time to find your cause. There are plenty out there. You can donate to help Afghan refugees, Ukrainians, foster children, and more. You can make an event of it, and set up a fundraiser on the 4th.

We may live in a country that has numerous problems and issues. However, instead of giving up, we should keep living in hope and be a part of the solution instead of the problem. That is truly the American way of life.