What an amazing country we live in. Just last week our nation’s ability to address the worst of us and the best of us came to the forefront. We were tested and passed with flying colors of red, white and blue.

The horrific shootings in Charleston were punctuated not with violence and protests, but with prayers, forgiveness and the singing of Amazing Grace by our President. Then our Supreme Court affirmed the right of all people to marry the person they love and that all the rest of us have to do is to respect and support that love.

Sometimes when I talk with people about the idea that resilience is hardwired into our biology, they don’t seem to grasp this idea. They believe that we don’t deal with our challenges and stress very effectively and that all we can do is try to manage them, and presumably our lives, by just hanging on as best we can.

Last week our nation showed that we adapt to change and even in the face of tragedy we find a way to become better. There is work to be done in terms of equity and justice but we give ourselves the chance to make those improvements.

That is the way it’s been for 239 years. I expect it will continue for many, many years.

Happy Independence Day

© Richard Citrin, All rights reserved, 2015