Enjoy this time of national celebration. This Fourth of July, I suspect most Americans need a nice break from all the stress in our life. From the housing situation to gas prices rising again to the state of democracy around the world, these are important times in our nation's development. Many of us are waiting to see how the current events will add to the already rapid change going on around us, politically, socially, and culturally. I believe all Americans would agree that these times will go down as a great turning point in American History. But, I also believe that the changes and turns that lay ahead were set in motion many years ago. What is the turn you may ask? It is the turn toward unstoppable greatness as a nation. We are becoming a nation in which all its citizens, regardless of political affiliation, religious faith, gender or ethnic background are highly valued; a nation in which we are all contributors.

I believe that the majority of people in this world are good people doing good things, and that we should not let anything deter us from our national greatness; not the current stock market, housing market or the next global crisis. The nation's birthday is a profound time to take a historical look back at our greatness and then refocus our efforts for the road ahead.

While so many of us are up to good things and probably deserve more credit than we give ourselves, most of us know that the good we are doing does not always represent our best. And so in our quieter moments, we sense there is still more we can be getting out of life, more we can be giving.

In the words of Stephen Covey, consider living your life "in crescendo." That simply means to be always growing and broadening yourself. As a result, you will feel a persisting desire to stretch yourself in new directions, to look for worthy ways to make a difference.

Occasionally, the world witnesses a heroic feat or discovers a great person with rare talent; a scientist, an innovative entrepreneur, a politician… But most people know there is another type of greatness that tends to be quieter by nature, one that generally escapes the headlines. Yet, it is a greatness that in my opinion is deserving of higher honor, even more respect. It is the greatness you and I bring day in and day out as hardworking citizens of the greatest nation on Earth.

As with any great nation, there are those who, when called upon, will give more than their full measure. That viral spirit of contribution is what leads to greatness in a nation. America has many who fit this description but consider the contribution of the military families within our communities as such heroes. They make the fabric of a given community stronger and more sustainable during the hard times; they give their part and then some. When I use the term military families, I am thinking most specifically of the military spouse and the military child.

The spouse and child of the military member may never have worn a uniform but their colors are as brilliant as the Service dress uniform worn by the military member themselves. Their determination and constitution are uncommon but their most defining characteristic is their spirit of giving. From all the demands placed on them with frequent moves and long separations, they adapt by turning outward in a spirit of giving to others who are in the same boat so to speak. As they do this, they become stronger themselves.

So, as we pause during our national birthday celebrations on and around the Fourth of July, remember, the way through difficult times is by moving outward toward others in a spirit of giving much like the military families do everyday. Let us all consider the days ahead as an opportunity to build a crescendo of giving and growing within ourselves, our communities, and our nation.

God bless America, the greatest nation on earth.