How to Love Your Country

 

It's always good to love your country. After all, it's where you live. Here are some tips that can help you discover how great your country really and truly is!
 

 

Steps

  1. Be an active citizen. Actively demonstrate your love for your country by being part of its political process. Continually strive for a better country for all!
  2. Study the history of your country. What are some of the great things people have done and how they showed their love of their country? What are some of the things people have done with good intentions but poor results? Learn from your country's history -- both the good times and the bad times.
  3. Focus on current events. For example, focus on what is also going on in the world as a whole and how your country is involved in it as well.
  4. Read stories, tall tales, and patriotic legends of your country. You will be amazed with such the creativity and imagination of those who wrote or thought up them.
  5. Have a hero. Someone who represents your country and is a good role model for you will make you proud to be where you call home.
  6. Wear patriotic colors. Nothing shows you love your country more than showing it through clothing or accessories!
  7. Fly a flag. You can purchase flags, bumper stickers, or any other emblems at a local store. Hang them on your car, your front lawn, or anywhere that can outwardly show you respect your country. Remember to treat the flag with the utmost respect.
  8. Celebrate holidays. What happened in your country on this day in history? Did they win a war? Did they gain independence? Recognize that holidays are much more than just occasions for parties or, in some countries, sales at department stores. Acknowledge the solemnity inherent to certain holidays, especially those that commemorate a victory that involved bloodshed.


 

 
 

Tips

bullet Encourage children to love their country so they will have respect someday as a citizen. This is the best way to set a positive example. As children grow older, explain to them why you feel they should hold their country in high regard. Remember that blind patriotism can be dangerous. Encourage your children to use their minds.
 
bullet Don't be prejudiced or biased. Every country, religion, or racial group has its own beliefs. Like them you have your own so respect yours and respect them for theirs.
 
bullet Abusing your country or taking advantage of any of its systems or programs is not a good way to show your love. Such corrupt action goes against the goodwill that should be at the core of your patriotism.
 
bullet You certainly do not have to agree with every event and decision made in your country's history to love your country. Consider how the country recovered from mistakes, as well as its ideology as described in some guiding document (such as a constitution). Although such principles are not absolute, reflect on whether these precepts are conducive to a government you think would act with its citizens -- and humanity's -- best interests at heart.


 

 

 
 

Warnings

bullet For people to believe you love your country, make sure you know the verses to your national anthem, have some trivial knowledge of founding fathers, national history, current events, and cultural heroes.
 
bullet Don't love your country so much that it makes you hate other countries. Each and every country on this planet is great in its own right.
 
bullet Don't succumb to blind patriotism.

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