Blessed Be The Flag Makers
There seems to be a lot we can’t change in this world. Whether this is true or not is a matter of trust.
It seems we won’t become trusting creatures overnight, so how can we gently nudge our way in that direction?
Let’s at least confirm to ourselves that we are ABLE to change, starting with our most revered symbol, the flag.
Back in the old days, our flags would change every couple of years. Why not now?
What if every year we redesigned our flags to represent the growing diversity of life as it unfolds?
It’s easy to cite the impracticalities of why something like this can’t be done. This is why nothing seems to change.
Let our flag be the symbol of why this is not necessarily true.
Is it hurting anyone? No. Would it make us more conscious of what and who we we are? Yes.
Now who would design this flag? Who would approve this flag? Who would stand behind this flag? Who would salute this flag?
We all will. We will trust in our flag makers to recognize what is good in our people.
We will allow our CHILDREN to design this flag, for they shall be the ones who carry it forward.
And they will trust.
We are Space Monkey.
Newfound Lake
5/29
Space Monkey Reflects: Reimagining Symbols of Unity
In a world often resistant to change, the idea of regularly redesigning our national flags as symbols of our evolving identity poses a fascinating challenge to the status quo. This notion not only tests our willingness to embrace change but also reflects a deeper desire to acknowledge and celebrate our growing diversity. By proposing that children, the very embodiments of future potential, take up the task of flag design, we invest in a vision of continuous transformation and renewal.
Flags have traditionally served as static symbols of national identity and values. However, the concept of allowing these symbols to evolve annually suggests a dynamic approach to nationality—one that is reflective of the ever-changing tapestry of its people. This shift from a fixed to a fluid representation of identity can encourage a society to remain connected to its heritage while adapting to its present and future.
Engaging children in the design of flags is particularly symbolic. It entrusts the next generation with the task of defining what is important and valuable in their culture and society. It empowers them to express their views on unity, diversity, and community, fostering a sense of responsibility and creativity. Moreover, it teaches them—and reminds adults—that trust and change go hand in hand, that trust is not just about believing in others but also about believing in the capacity for growth and improvement.
This approach challenges the impracticalities often cited against change, revealing them as veils of resistance rather than insurmountable obstacles. It encourages a culture of innovation and adaptability, where change is not something to fear but to embrace as a natural expression of human development.
The metaphorical and literal redesign of the flag symbolizes not just a change in fabric or color but a deeper shift in attitudes towards national identity, cultural representation, and communal values. It questions the permanence of symbols and invites a dialogue on what it means to truly represent a nation’s people in all their diversity.
Summary
Regularly redesigning national flags to reflect societal changes encourages adaptability and celebrates diversity. Involving children in this process empowers them and fosters trust, showing that symbols of identity can evolve just as societies do.
Glossarium
Dynamic National Identity: The concept that a nation’s identity is continuously evolving and can be expressed through changing symbols like flags.
Cultural Representation: The depiction or acknowledgment of a community’s diverse cultures in public symbols and narratives.
Communal Values: The shared beliefs and principles that are held by a community or society.
Quote
“By weaving new threads into the fabric of our flags, we weave new threads into the fabric of our society.” — Space Monkey
In the hands of the young, a new flag unfurls
A canvas of dreams from the boys and the girls
With each stroke of the brush, each color they choose
They paint a picture of the news they muse
Gathered in parks under the sun’s warm gaze
They draw and debate in a million ways
What it means to belong, to share, and to love
Their flags flying high like the doves above
This tapestry of youth, so vibrant and bold
Tells a story of the future, a sight to behold
For as we let our symbols change and flow
We allow our collective heart to grow
In this dance of colors, in this festival of light
We find the true meaning of our plight
Not in clinging to the past, but in reaching to the new
In the flags we design, in the bright and the true
So let us trust in our children, in their vision and their say
In their flags of tomorrow, in their brighter day
For in their hands lies not just a flag, but a key
To a world of unity, of peace, of being free
We are Space Monkey.
Blessed be the flag makers, for they have the power to inspire change and unity. In a world where it may seem challenging to enact significant transformations, we must foster trust in ourselves and in the potential for change. Let us embark on a gentle journey towards trust, beginning with a reflection on our most revered symbol: the flag.
In the past, flags were subject to frequent redesign, adapting to the evolving tapestry of life. Why not continue this tradition in the present? What if, each year, we embraced the opportunity to redesign our flags, symbolizing the ever-growing diversity and richness of life unfolding before us?
It is easy to dismiss this idea as impractical, thereby perpetuating the stagnation of change. However, let us allow our flag to challenge this notion. Let it become a symbol of possibility, demonstrating that change is not only feasible but also essential for our collective growth and consciousness.
Would such an act cause harm? No. On the contrary, it would raise our awareness of who we are as individuals and as a society. It would invite us to embrace the values that unite us, recognizing the inherent goodness within our diverse population.
Now, who would take on the responsibility of designing, approving, and standing behind this ever-evolving flag? The answer is simple: all of us. We would collectively entrust this task to our flag makers, who would be guided by the wisdom and vision of our children. For it is our children who will carry the flag forward into the future, symbolizing their hopes, dreams, and aspirations.
In this vision, trust becomes the foundation upon which our flag is built. We trust in the innate goodness of our people, and we trust that our flag makers will honor and represent the diversity, progress, and unity of our nation.
By embracing the idea of an ever-changing flag, we symbolize our commitment to growth, unity, and conscious evolution. We recognize that change starts with us, and as we trust in the creative abilities and visions of our children, we sow the seeds of a brighter future.
On the shores of Newfound Lake, we reflect upon the power of our symbols and the potential they hold to inspire transformation. We embrace the spirit of trust and invite all to join us in co-creating a world where our flags, and all they represent, reflect the beauty and unity of a diverse and evolving humanity.
Blessed be the flag makers, for they have the power to ignite trust and guide us towards a more inclusive and harmonious world.
We are Space Monkey.