Everyone has a different concept of America. Ask any person on the street what America means to them, and you’ll get a different answer — ask a hundred, and you’ll get a hundred different answers.

There are similarities, sure. Themes? Absolutely.

But much like we are all, ultimately, strangers to one another — so, too, is our national identity unique to us.

Many Americans these days become trapped in a negative spiral about our nation — this is true across the political spectrum.

When President Biden was in charge, many people felt America was the worst it’s ever been. Now, with President Trump back in the Oval Office, the script has flipped but the content is the same. Of course, you have some Republicans who dislike some of Trump’s aspects, just the same as you had some Democrats who were less than thrilled with Biden’s performance.

That’s natural, and healthy.

But America is about more than these men and their egos; about more than our fixation with these personalities that blend stardom with public service.

There has been an America long before Trump, Biden or any bureaucrat in between — and God willing, there will continue to be long after they’ve all moved beyond this mortal coil.

What persists — what truly matters — is the essence of our country: the confluence of the beliefs, morals and values of its citizens; and the willpower we all hold within us to leverage those immaterial truths into a better future for ourselves and our descendents.

Americans absolutely will disagree with one another about what that better future will look like, as well as how to get there. But one thing that we all share in common is that self-same drive towards a better future.

This Fourth of July — our nation’s 249th such event — we urge our readers to spend some time in reflection, amidst the grilling and beer and the very American pastime of blowing stuff up.

Here’s some of our thoughts to get you started:

— “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” — What do you need for a good life? To feel like you have freedom and liberty? Or what happiness do you wish to pursue? Many of these questions are highly individualized, but we would argue that, in our modern era, life would include the superstructure that allows us to live: reasonably affordable businesses and healthcare options. Liberty includes not just classical freedoms like freedom of religion and freedom of speech, but also things like freedom from many of the invasive tech practices that plague those of us who spend a lot of time on the internet or on our phones. As for happiness, that is clearly subjective. But we would offer that as long as you aren’t hurting yourself or others, what makes you happy is for you to decide and pursue, and that should be free from the judgment of those around you. Few things are as American as the sentiment: “live your life.”

— “America the beautiful” — what makes America beautiful for you? For us, we love the natural splendor that we live amidst, be it the rolling peaks of the Appalachians or the gentle flow of the Susquehanna. Beautiful means respecting our wild places, and working with nature as opposed to domineering over it. Sometimes that isn’t possible — new construction, for example, which must necessarily cost the lives of trees and the habitat of wildlife. But, where possible, let’s try to keep America beautiful: plant more trees and flowers, especially native ones, in unused corners or in window boxes or wherever you have the space. We should all strive to be caretakers of our space so that future generations of Americans can come to understand the value in America’s beauty.

— “With liberty and justice for all” — we didn’t grow up saying those words to lose faith in them now. “For all” means for all. For everyone. Including, and perhaps especially, for people you don’t agree with or even particularly like. Be firm in justice, but kind in liberty. We have laws for a reason, and they should apply to everyone equally, regardless of tax bracket or political influence. Push for a more just society where evidence is beyond reasonable doubt — but don’t jump to conclusions and assume the worst of people. Prejudice is ugly and giving people the benefit of the doubt reflects far better. Remember the Golden Rule, and try to build a kinder tomorrow — even if you disagree with your neighbor’s design choices, sexuality or choice of sports team. For all. They are as valid as you, and for as much as you may disagree with them, you likely have as much or more in common, too. Don’t let yesterday’s hatreds fester.

Historians will say, with some degree of veracity, that our concept of what America is has never lined up with the reality of what America has been. Much like most every other nation in history, we have some truly horrendous stuff in our past — consider the Trail of Tears, any of a number of atrocities from the Civil War, the legacy of the KKK and white supremacy, Operation Paperclip, the Tuskegee syphilis study and so many more.

Some people, more on the liberal side, will say that we need to focus on that in some kind of ridiculous attempt to atone for the sins of our fathers.

But, we would counter that while our history is important to remember, it is equally important to view our future with rosy-eyed, child-like optimism.

We defeated the British Empire and earned our independence, forming a nation that spanned from sea to shining sea. We stayed united after our Civil War — a rare feat in world history. We took to the skies in Ohio and North Carolina, electrified the nation, created the national park system and made automobiles and an immense network nationwide upon which we travel in them. We helped to defeat the Nazis and Imperial Japan in a global effort with countless tales of American heroism. Heck, we’ve gone to the moon and beyond.

We don’t have to wallow in our sins to choose to make tomorrow’s America closer to the ideal nation we all hold dear.

It is enough to say America the Beautiful, for example — and then work to make her so.

We can choose that better future. Let’s all strive to do so.