What’s better than a precisely executed fireworks display on the 4th of July?

• They’re beautiful.
• They’re symbolic of freedom.
• They’re an opportunity to have a moment with a loved one away from your phone (unless you’re watching through it).

But beyond the professional fireworks shows, I gotta ask:

Can we not?

Why are amateur fireworks “shows” still a thing?

Amateur fireworks shows are unsafe. Like, really unsafe. Burned eyebrows and lost appendages unsafe. Who’s paying the ER bills?

Amateur fireworks shows incite violence. 44 shootings and 8 deaths, including a seven-year-old, in the Chicagoland area on this year’s 4th of July. What better time to shoot a gun when people won’t think twice about the sound?

Amateur fireworks shows are obnoxious. They’re loud, messy and are miserably unimpressive. Few things are more upsetting (for a dog lover and person who likes peace) than living in the heart of Chicago and trying to take your dog to go pee at 11 pm on the evening of July 4th. It’s like walking the beaches of Normandy on D-day.

People, this is my call for crippling penalties for amateur, unlicensed firework shows.

The fines will generate revenue for the city, we’ll have fewer ER visits, and a more peaceful existence now that we, since 1776, have earned it.

Our Independence Day.

Drink some beers.

Have some fun.

Relax.

And if you have to work, do the aforementioned stuff afterwards.

Happy 4th of July, people.

Seriously.

If you’re even able to read this, think about what that means.

• The year you’re in.
• The comforts you have.
• The things you know.

Jump back into a time machine if this is at all unclear. There once was a time when a grape wasn’t a grape.

It was a fruit you found that will either kill or save you.

Today, you’re snacking on organic ones you picked up from Trader Joe’s.

Wow.

Doesn’t need to be because you screwed something up.

Or because you got into some trouble.

Maybe it’s a conversation you had. Or something you read.

Or it’s maybe something that just came to you.

There ought to be something every day. Something you learned.

Otherwise, what’s the point?

They make you look so smart.

Or do they?

Why are you holding onto a thing that gathers dust that you haven’t used in over a year? You’re not a hoarder, right?

By all means, read your books. You’re less smart if you don’t.

And if you’re gonna read or reference it again in the next year, put it on the shelf.

Otherwise, give it away to the next reader.

Why?

Because the best part about most books is passing it on and saying, “You’ll love this one.”

It might just change the world.

Isn’t that a smart move?

You can wait until Thanksgiving. And the high holidays. And his / her birthday.

But why?

Be grateful. Be forgiving. Give some love.

Those days are just another day.

If you left for the year, what would you miss?

• The same special events?
• The same festivals?
• The same anniversaries and birthdays?

Sounds like a lot of the same.

Where do you wanna go?

You’re not handcuffed to your job.

You’re not bound to a fraternity.

You’re not too old.

There’s no deadline on living your life the way you want.

You can drive with the radio on.

Or, you can think. You can converse. You can be at peace.

Your call.

What should we do? Is this fair? Why are they doing this? What are they thinking?

The answer is usually simple.

Start by reversing the rolls.