Being delivered from most situations is often painful because it is a form of salvation which always comes at a cost to someone. Sometimes it will be a price you suffer and other times a payment from those whom you are delivered. But if that delivery brings peace to that situation, then its value will always outweigh the cost.

~C.L. Harmon

C.L. Harmon

In 1796 at the end of his second term, first President of the United States, George Washington had two major concerns. The first was that if he were to seek a third term and then died in office, it would be construed that the presidency was a lifetime position. The second was that the two political parties which had emerged during his presidency and to his dismay, Republicans and Democrats, would tear the nation apart through division of the people.

In fact, he declared that, “The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish government presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established government.” He feared that political parties growing in power would interfere with the electoral process. As a patriot and former subject to the British Monarchy, he opted to not set the example that a leader should be in office for life. It also turns out his concerns on the people becoming divided over political parties was valid based on what we see in America today.

What is most interesting about his concerns is that he was a man who had lived under British rule and had fought for this country’s independence. Obviously, both of those experiences were still in his mind. What else is interesting is that no one, not anyone in Congress or in this country, has had those experiences. No one alive today can claim they have had to fight for America’s independence. Many have fought for others’ and to maintain our freedom, but not independence for themselves.

When those who govern are sworn into office, they are promising to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States. This is done, in part, so they will be tied to the sacrifices of those who made this country a reality…men like Washington. It is their responsibility to remember for the rest of us what price was paid to deliver us from tyranny and oppression. It is their sworn duty to honor the choices of those early leaders and patriots who placed fairness, justice and the individual rights of the people above all else…especially their own desire for power and personal gain.

These who govern now are so removed from the origins of this country that they have all forgotten what their oath truly means. And it has come at a terrible price to the American way of life. If Washington were here today, I believe he would tell us that as those we elect have forgotten the spilt blood that was sacrificed for all generations of Americans and that they have lost all respect for the Constitution and its meaning. He would go on to say we the people have forgotten that we are to be self-governed and not conquered and divided by the few who believe in tyranny and oppression. The simple truth is, if we do not remember to govern ourselves through our actions of unity and the principles on which this country was founded, we have already lost our independence and once again become the subjects under the rule of a few.

When you are a vessel of kindness to others, you are in harmony with all things which move in creation. When we become bitter and remain resentful, we cease to move in any direction. Nature no longer recognizes us as it is blind to what is still. Nature only knows to move and seek out motion and what it fails to see it leaves behind.
~C.L. Harmon

The hour you realize your life must change, you have escaped from the cell. The moment you realize what you no longer want, you have scaled the wall. The second you know exactly what you want is the second you become free.

~C.L. Harmon

If being right is more important to you than doing what is right, then, in actuality, being wrong is obviously more important to you than everything you do.

~C.L. Harmon

There are always risks and at times you will be taken advantage of. But the advantage of being at risk, is that you are always open to those who are willing to take a risk on you.
~C.L. Harmon

When you build from the ashes, you are building on sacred ground, ground that has held structures and witnessed them razed. It is hallowed for its loss and yet praised for its purpose. But it cares not for what was there, but only that you choose to build on it again. Whatever your loss, remember that beneath the ashes of old is the foundation for everything new you wish to build.

~C.L. Harmon

Of all the evil by man that has been brought upon this earth, None of it has taken deep root and all of it has withered on the vine. And though evil still remains as there is always a new breed, the original good in the beginning consisting of hope, kindness, compassion and love has endured, defeated and outlasted every evil man has devised.
~C.L. Harmon

C.L. Harmon

The world is changing. Many Americans do not realize how far the world has changed since they were born. They do not know because they either have not experienced a world different than the one which exists today. Or they have been sold rhetoric which claims there is an easier way to live and achieve their desires. Because of these, the United States of America is at war with itself. There is division unlike anything since the Civil War. There is hatred and violence on a large scale among citizens that is unprecedented in this country’s history. And there is an unwillingness to understand, compromise with and forgive those who believe differently than they do.

It is true that people have always had differences. There have always been different political views and parties, those who stand in protest of policies and those on the fringe who have propagated violence to achieve a means. We have never been a perfect people or a perfect nation. We have, however always held certain truths above everything else. And in doing so, we, and those who came before us, built what is now being destroyed.

There are many hard truths about the origin and the growth of this country. The first of these being that those who built the infrastructure of this country had a faith in God. They were not atheists or agnostics but people who made God a part of the government, the military and encouraged God to be in homes and schools. This is a fact. Whether you believe in God or not does not change the fact that those who provided your ancestors with the rights and privileges that have been passed down to you were God-fearing people. In other words, your right to disagree and vocalize publicly your lack of faith, was given to you by those who believed God wanted you to have that right.

Another truth was and still should be, “If you don’t work, you don’t eat”. As harsh as that may sound, there is a fundamental reasoning behind this concept. It’s called fairness. Everyone should pull their own weight. Even God expected His only son Jesus to work. He made a living as a carpenter before beginning his ministry. God could have provided him with everything he needed and wanted but didn’t. That should say it all. And yet many in this country feel that it is okay for others to work and for them to use someone else’s money to provide for them. That is not fairness, that is laziness.

And still another truth is, “Get tough or die.” Your feelings are not made of fragile threads easily destroyed. Yes, they do get hurt, but you will survive. God made you stronger than to allow you to be so easily broken. No one dies from hurt feelings. Those who built this country could not have built such a strong nation had they allowed everyone to tear them down with words and differing opinions. Get mad and then get over it. You’ll live!

And here’s a final truth for you. The ONLY reason you have any rights at all is because there are those who were and are willing to put themselves in harm’s way and even sacrifice their lives so that you can have them. Men and women have spilled more blood in the battlefields of the centuries than you can fathom so you could be free and have a voice. You owe each and every one of them a debt of gratitude and a measure of respect. You have earned no right to take a knee or refuse to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. In fact, you have earned no rights at all. The only knee you should be taking is one before God to thank him for sending those men and women to protect you and fight for you.

Hey Friends,
Uniquelahoma is adding reader submitted photos to our magazine. As such, we need your help with photos. We are wanting to post your photos of things you find to be interesting and unique in Oklahoma. We will give you photo credit along with our gratitude! Please submit your photos to
[email protected]
Thank you!
CL