Six months into 2016. 13,781 gun violence injuries. 6,672 deaths caused by shootings. 164 mass shootings.

This is the current state of our United States of America. According to Dictionary.com, the word "united" means, "agreed; in harmony."

This Independence Day, we must ask ourselves, are we as citizens really united and in harmony?

When we turn on the nightly news and see 49 of our fellow brothers and sisters murdered in the Orlando shooting, do our hearts feel the piercing of 49 loved ones gone? Or has our culture become so numb to the significant pain that follows after each shooting that occurs because they are becoming a "norm" in our society?

How do we become a united country once again, when everywhere we turn seems to be encompassed in hatred and violence?

Dalai Lama once stated,

"Many people today agree that we need to reduce violence in our society. If we are truly serious about this, we must deal with the roots of the violence, particularly those that exist within each of us. We need to embrace 'inner disarmament,' reducing our own emotions of suspicion, hatred and hostility toward our brothers and sisters."

I believe Dalai Lama had it right when he stated this.

We need to find the roots of this violence that is becoming a norm in our society. Our country can not be changed in just one day. It takes all of us to begin to see one another as brothers and sisters again. To believe that we are the difference. For the difference lies in our hands and our hearts.

So, this Independence Day while you sit with your loved ones watching the fireworks light up your city's skyline, let us take a step of courage to become better American citizens.

American Citizens who will pledge to keep America's freedom protected as we stand, "One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."