The United States of America will celebrate its 249th birthday this Friday, 4 July 2025. In 2026, it will be its big 250th birthday. To this end, I share this tip of the month with the goal of promoting a return to civility and etiquette when expressing our freedoms and independence, no matter where we live or visit in the world.
Fact:
- According to a display at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, the current world population is: 8,243,630,381 (8 billion, 243 million, 630 thousand, 381 hundred).
- By 300,000 years ago, Homo sapiens had evolved in East Africa. From there, we humans spread around the globe. Physical and cultural differences emerged as populations adapted to different environments.
- Yet, one interesting truth holds from one person to another: our DNA differs by only 0.1 percent. So, no matter your ancestry or where you live in the world, all human beings are remarkably alike.
Thus, “All people are the same; it’s only their habits that are different.” Confucius.
So, the question remains: Why can’t we all get along?
Here are eight perspectives and tips for you, me, and everyone in the world to practice and restore a peaceful coexistence, where freedom of thought, with respectful discourse, is practiced everywhere:
1. Remember: With freedom comes Responsibility
The right to speak freely must include the duty to do so with respect, consideration, and compassion. There can be no screaming, yelling, ranting, raving, pointing fingers, or accusations about one way being the only possible way. This is not democracy, which is built on the premise that not everyone has to agree and that disagreements are allowed.
Tip: Before speaking or posting online, pause and ask: “Is this useful, truthful, and compassionate to others?”
2. Appreciate and respect the privilege of civil discourse; do not abuse it
People in many countries around the world are silenced or jailed for far less than what we are permitted to express openly and freely.
Tip: Choose conversations, not confrontations. Listen to understand, and to learn and widen your perspectives, not just to respond with your own opinions, and at the exclusion of the other person’s points of view.
3. See and embrace all differences as strengths, not threats, without division
Diverse opinions are foundational to democracy and living in a multi-cultural world. It is not a flaw to eliminate.
Tip: Replace judgment with curiosity… Do not say: “Boy! How in the world can s/he be so wrong in thinking that way?” Replace it with: “I respect your right to that view, even if I don’t agree with it.” Then, ask: What life experiences led you to this belief?
4. Lead with respect, even when disagreeing
Civility doesn’t mean silence—it means speaking with dignity, truth, and honesty.
Tip: Focus on ideas, not insults. Disagree without becoming disagreeable and never accuse anyone of being wrong or dumb.
5. Use social media thoughtfully
Words used matter. What you post either contributes to unity or division. Be doubly, if not triply, sure of your tone of voice and words used before pressing the post button.
Tip: Be a digital citizen who uplifts rather than provokes. Share thoughtful perspectives, not personal and reactive attacks. Be a voice of clarity and sanity.
6. Model what civility looks like
Life is all about being an example to others and to the generations of people who will live in this world after us. Civility and hostility are both contagious and can spread like wildfires.
Tip: Be the person in the room (or on the feed) who demonstrates respectful behavior in daily life—online, at work, and in our community. Actions do speak louder than words, and it’s not what you say, but how you say it that counts the most. Actions influence more than you know, positively and negatively. Choose wisely for the best outcomes.
7. Be grateful for the rights others are literally dying to have
The freedoms we innately enjoy here in the U.S. are someone else’s lifelong dream.
Tip: Take a moment to reflect on the global cost we incur by not being responsible citizens of ourselves and our planet whenever we fail to model the correct principles that all human beings want and deserve.
8. Choose peaceful coexistence over constantly having to be right and winning
Democracy thrives not when one side wins, but when all sides practice unified coexistence in peace.
Tip:
You don’t have to agree, but you must coexist. This is what democracy, and the American Way, are designed to achieve: one inclusive global planet of coexisting human beings with only 0.1% differences between us all.
Conclusion:
This Independence Day- and for all independence days around the world, remember:
It isn’t about displaying and waving a flag, or the fireworks and barbeques; it’s all about what the day and the flag represent.
Choose to celebrate Independence Day holidays with the utmost respect it deserves, and be forever grateful, proud, and reverent of the privilege to live in the United States of America.
Happy Practicing!
