"Radical, Extreme, Essential"
What were they thinking?
This is a very special time for us as Americans. It's great to have the day off, have family and friends around with picnics, and see some fireworks. I did something the other day I haven't done in many years, I read the Declaration of Independence. I then sat back in the quiet of my office and visualized what it must have been like the night of July 3rd, 1776. I bet not many of the men slept well. I bet many thought twice about signing the document. These men were putting their lives and the lives of the people of the colonies in grave danger for what they believed to be a better way of life.
Here are a few key phrases that stood out to me, and I think we can all benefit from them.
"...declare the causes which impel you to separate from something." I believe we have an easier time going forward with our decisions when we declare why we want to change what we have. This is their PURPOSE.
"...the Pursuit of Happiness." It amazed me that they listed only three distinct things they wanted: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of HAPPINESS. Imagine that. The people were so miserable with the way things were that they named it on the most important document in United States history. They wanted to be happy. This was their DESIRE.
"...man is more disposed to suffer than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed." They realized that it was easier to 'go along with the flow' than face change. This is one reason I see often when people are considering something new: the fear of change. We see it all the time as people we all know are in bad relationships, they don't like their job, or whatever, but they put up with the crap that goes along with it because they are use to it and they know what to expect. This is where we need to get out of the COMFORT ZONE, and look at the bigger picture
"...absolved from all allegiance of the British Crown." This is great! They are cutting all ties with England. This is ACTION! And this is why we as Americans pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
"...we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." This is COMMITMENT. The start of our great nation was a life or death commitment. To have BIG things happen in our lives, sometimes we have to just lay it all on the line.
So, to summarize. In the course of our daily events, to make it big we must have Desire, Purpose, get out of the Comfort Zone, Action, and Commitment.
This is a reprint from an article I published on my newsletter July 4, 2008. I hope it brought encouragement to some, hope for others, and prompted a few to go read the Declaration of Independence.
