Kim Jong Il celebrated American Independence Day by firing 7 test missiles in the Sea of Japan, killing 9 fish . It was later reported he downed a 6 pack of Taedong River Beer and made an emotional  toast which went along the lines of ” happy 4th of July Mr American scum people”. Oh OK , I made some of  this story up but he did fire 7 missiles!

Happy Fourth of July! - Photo Courtesy of MorgueFile.com

Happy Fourth of July! Have a prosperous, healthy and happy year!

Overall Beauty Giveaway as featured on SHI Symbol and Overall Beauty Sites and Blogs

Celebrate with SHI Symbol and Overall Beauty with a lovely package valued at US$50 being given away.

 Overall Beauty has teamed up with BB Couture to giveaway this 4^th July pack consisting of an amazing red, white and blue nail polish! Included are: 

• 1 x BB Couture Nail Polish in Fairy Blood (our red)
• 1 x BB Couture Nail Polish in Pixie Dust (our white)
• 1 x BB Couture Nail Polish in Karibbean Kiersti (our blue)
• Plus a neat manicure gift set
• And a Reflexology Foot Massager
• All beautifully presented in a handcrafted 4^th July themed make up bag by SolSisters.

 You don’t need to be an American to value your freedom, liberties and rights. True freedom belongs to all mankind.

To be in the winning for this gorgeous pack, all you have to do is sign up for the newsletters at Overallbeauty.com and when you do the same with SHI Symbol, check out the promos that are always being offered by them too. Don’t forget to be up with the trend in America and get your amazing SHI Symbol jewelry while you’re there!

Winner drawn 10^th July 2009. 

Keep checking the Special Offers and Competitions Page on the SHI Symbol Website for further July Giveaways as they are announced.

“The truly free fly above even the desire to chase freedom, and know in their hearts that freedom is not a goal or and end in itself”

July 5th marks the second day of the July 4th weekend when America celebrates her Declaration of Independence from Great Britain in 1776. Ever since that moment, when the Liberty Bell and other bells rang out across the country tolling in the birth of freedom, freedom was a principle, one of the key bricks in the foundation that is this country America.  When people emigrate here from other lands it is often so they can be free – free to express themselves, free to associate with whom they choose, with what religion they choose, free to pursue an education or profession regardless of race, color, creed or gender. But what is freedom and how free are we. Is freedom a destination or is it a journey. While we in America may consider ourselves free, those who live in Tibet and Myanmar certainly are not. And how free are we? In a recent article I wrote on the publication of the book “We shall be heard” I elaborated on the stories of people who were persecuted by our very own government because of their opinions expressed or their association with groups that were labelled anti-American, insurrectionist, dangerous, communist, and the like.  The land of the free has a long history of oppression – The placement of Native Americans on Reservations, the confinement of Japanese-Americans into Detainment Camps during World War II, the placing of pacifists in camps as well, the McCarthy era, the blacklisting of communists in the entertainment industry, Segregation in schools, public buildings, water fountains, buses and neighborhoods. The post-911 histrionics have led to the Patriot Act and the Department of Homeland Security, which gives the government sweeping powers including wiretapping, going into public libraries to see what patrons are reading and searching for on the Internet. So how much freedom do we have and what kind of freedom should we aspire to?

In The Path – LifeExplained in 100 Pages, a book by Doctor Joseph Cilona, he sums up freedom as he interprets the 193 classic “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran:

And a man said, speak to us of Freedom, and he answered: Throughout the city I have seen you bowed at the feet and awestruck in the face of your own freedom. Like the slave whos own will becomes words and thoughts of praise for their oppressor, so many of you humble yourself and sacrifice yourself and make sacrifice in the name of freedom.

My heart bleeds in seeing many of the freest among you chained and burdened by your very own idea of freedom. The truly free fly above even their desire to chase freedom, and know in their hearts that freedom is not a goal or an end in itself.

You will not even be free when your days are without a care an your nights are without a single grief or want, But rather when your life is burdened with these things, yet you rise above them soaring unbound in the glories of life

You cannot rise above your days and nights until you reak the chains you have placed upon yourself during the dawn of your understanding. And though it’s links glitter in the sun and dazzle your eyes, thta thing which you call freedom is really the strongest and heaviest of these chains.

And what is it really, but merely pieces of yourself that you would gladly toss away to become free? If you try to abolish an unjust law, remember it was written with your own hand and upon your own forehead. You cannot erase it by burning your law books or by washing the foreheads of your judges with the water of the sea.

Anf if you try to dethrone a tyrantm be sure that you first destroy the tyrants thronem which is erected within yourself.  A tyrant cannot rule the free and the proud unless there is tyranny in their own freedom, and shame in their own pride.

And if you try to cast off a care, remember that the seat or your fear lies in your own heart, not in the hand of the feared. Within you there shall always be a constant half embrace, what you desire and what you fear, what you avoid and what you cherish, what you chase and that from which you run away.

These things move inside you in pairs like lights and shadows forever clning to each other. And when a shadow fadesm it clinging light becomes the shadow to anothe light. And when your freedom breaks free of its chains, it becomes the chains upon a greater freedom

Excerpt from the The Path: Life Explained in 100 Pages Copyright 2007 by Joseph Cilona

Happy 4th of July to my fellow American friends south of the border. I present to you the late great Marvin Gaye doing his rendition of The Star Spangled Banner at NBA game back in 1983.

Having been born in Boston, Massachusetts and sharing a birthday with George Washington, American history, and specifically the 4th of July, have always had a special place in my heart. Of course, I also have an interest in pop culture and a decent sense of humor (depending on who you ask!), so I can really appreciate “Schoolhouse Rock.” So, to celebrate America’s 232nd birthday I thought it would be appropriate to share the following “Schoolhouse Rock” video titled “Fireworks.” Enjoy!

Vacation is in and it’s a lovely time to spend with kids and family. Independence day falls on a weekend this year, so it’s an ideal time for 4th of July travel. The whole country is celebrating and there is so much to do. Fireworks display, fun contests, parades and many more fun activities. Check out what’s happening in the different places around and fix one place where your entire family will enjoy.

4th of July travel is like a treat to children because there are some amazing activities for kids all over. Get some costumes for the kids to wear that day to add on to the excitement. The capital of the country is a favorite spot during this season. They have the parade and some amazing fireworks display. Since it’s season time, the deals and offers on vacation and getaway packages are great.

The stores are stocked with all kinds of Fourth of July clothing. Also some great deals and coupons are available as a part of the Independence Day celebrations. A nice gesture would be to donate some clothing to the needy or orphanages that are really in need for them. If you are affluent then you could gift tees with Fourth of July messages to all the poor kids. It will be a very satisfying way to celebrate the nations’ independence.

The fourth of July clothing has to be symbolic as well as practical to wear, since its summer time. The nation is bursting with excitement and there are loads of entertainments to witness. So be sure to wear something that will be comfortable to wear in the heat. It’s popular to wear colors of the national flag to express your patriotism. A great option would be to sport some cool tees with inspirational messages. Gift or donate similar tees to mark the day.

Get together and join the nation in celebrating its Independence. It’s easy to have a party on this theme because Fourth of July party supplies are easily available. The theme, colors, and the traditional food recipes already exist so you have to just put it all together. You could also get some fireworks and start bursting them at dusk. So it’s a good idea to have the party in your own backyard.

Since, it’s the season of fun and holidays, the stores are up with sales. Fourth of July party supplies are all over the place. To make your party a little different, think of using the available ideas a bit creatively. It’s also an opportunity to meet up with friends or family.

If you have kids at home, play some games, which can be fun as well as an insight to the meaning and importance of independence.