Just for one day, put it all aside.
Forget squabbling over partisan politics and fretting over budgets and arguing over the best way to solve the hot-button issues of the moment.
Instead, take a moment to think about why you’re lucky to be in Canada.
With our nation’s 150th birthday on Saturday, it’s time to remind ourselves why we’re privileged to be able to call ourselves Canadian.
Everyone has their own ideas. Here are a few of ours:
It’s beautiful. From sea to sea to sea, its postcard-perfect scenery is unsurpassed – from the rocky shores of Newfoundland to the big-sky country of the Prairies to the mountain majesty of British Columbia.
It’s diverse. From its First Nations to the descendants of the first European settlers to the newest arrivals from the farthest reaches of the globe, Canada is a nation that welcomes many cultures and languages. This multicultural mosaic enriches all our lives.
It’s peaceful. For those who’ve always lived here, it’s easy to take peace for granted. But for refugees who have arrived from far more tumultuous climes, the safety, stability and security of our country has value beyond measure. We should all be grateful for it.
It’s democratic. We’re allowed to publicly squabble, fret and disagree. We can be as partisan as we want. We can tweet our complaints to the editor and criticize our leaders and vote them out of office when they aren’t doing a good enough job. It’s a privilege we should never take for granted.
There’s plenty more, of course. The beaver, the moose, the marmot. Great writers, great musicians, great athletes. And, of course, hockey. And beer.
Whatever your favourite thing about Canada is, celebrate it. Wave the Maple Leaf on Saturday and sing O Canada at the top of your lungs.
Happy Canada Day.
