How Red Sneakers Changed My Life

This is definitely my favourite cover of Somewhere Over the Rainbow because IZ sings it with a lot of heart and soul.  As someone has so rightly commented on the Youtube link for the video, this song...this song makes you feel safe.  I pray we all make it somewhere over the rainbow someday. 

"So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."  ~Morrie Schwartz from Tuesdays With Morrie

Those of you who know me well are probably aware of my insufferable lack of patriotism. It's inexcusable. It's shameless. But it's the truth. Now before you guys start hating on me and/or judging me, and telling me to pack up and leave since I obviously don't belong here, hear me out. The thing is, patriotism is an emotion that I have never understood. Wikipedia defines it as a devotion to one's country. It sounds simple enough, but I can't help thinking that it's based entirely on devotion to a country you just so happened to be born in (generally, anyway...I'm not talking about dual nationalities right now!).  I could easily have been born in Zimbabwe or Namibia or China, and would have been expected to offer up my affections to either one of them simply because I was born there. We don't get to choose our families or our countries; we take what we get and that doesn't necessarily mean they're always the best for us. (Okay, I love my fa...