Gratitude

If I could embody my patriotic sentiments into one word, it would be "gratitude."  Some people wallow in modern politics and they worry about health care, the economy, presidential elections, etc.  I proudly participate in the political workings of our country, and I concern myself with its future.  However, I just said that the embodiment of my feelings about my country is gratitude.  If I were truly grateful for the liberties that I possess and the great abundance that I enjoy day by day, then instead of complaining and fretting about political leaders, I would probably wake up each morning, say a prayer of thanks, and then I would go work as hard as I could to actually live the American dream.  I would participate in elections, I would write letters to congress, and I would do everything I could to carry a patriotic sentiment to other people around me.  However, I would not say hateful things (whether public or private) about our leaders based on differing political views or political parties, I wouldn't worry myself too much about negative media coverage, and instead of yelling and whining so much, I would try and listen to other people and try to learn from their life experiences.  I am not a shining example of this image that I have painted, and so I have a lot of work to do, but in this humble state, I would like to share one other thing that a true patriot should do.  Besides demonstrating gratitude for our country, a true patriot would practice a bit of faith . . . some faith in God.  Because if this really is "one nation, under God," then why wouldn't He help us to succeed?