There aren’t many times when we sit back and celebrate all the special things we’re afforded in the United States of America.

The never-ending political, religious and social battles, and those that draw lines in the sand because of them, force us to pick sides.

Those with influence on local and national levels tell you America is either going downhill fast or only now starting to makes strides to become the great nation we were promised.

Those are opinions, subject to change at the will and conscience of those in charge. Yet, they are not set in stone.

If you don’t like a decision made today, fight (by legal means, of course) for what you believe. You can and always have the opportunity to impact change in the future.

It made this country special in its infancy and continues to set the United States apart from all nations, past and present.

Our country is constantly being shaped, improved and molded as new generations take their turns manning an impossible but necessary mission — leading the greatest nation.

At different times we’ve denied women the right to vote and supported the despicable economy of slavery. In parts of the country, marijuana is legal and in all the country tobacco use drives dollars and cents.

You can drive, run for public office and go off to war before the age of 20, but can’t enjoy a light beer until you’re 21.

It’s an odd set of rules we’ve set up for ourselves, but they can be changed. We can start down one path, change our minds and begin another one tomorrow.

It’s in that freedom to chart our course, make mistakes and ultimately leave our mark on this country that makes this nation so special.

We’ve succeeded and failed at so many stops along the way; yet, on this week — that of the Fourth of July — we celebrate what we share: our freedom and our country.

We should always be proud to live in such a special place, one like no other.

It’s a virtual guarantee that some young girl or boy who stares up at the fireworks Friday and Saturday will find the inspiration in themselves to lead change in the future.

Some will love them for it; others will despise them. Thankfully, this nation provides the freedom for it all to happen.