LESSON OF INDEPENDENCE

Today the country of the United States is celebrating its 250th birthday. How accurate that is depends on how you score it. We really did not gain recognition as independent from Britain until 1783. The constitution, which defined the government, was ratified a few years after that. More accurately, it is being described as “The birth of a nation”. What that means is that we are celebrating the brave men above who risked death by signing a document telling the King we no longer wanted him around. In other words, we declared our intent to become independent.

Considering the other dates that I listed above, and the fact that there was a bloody war between the two sides, this declaration was no small thing. It is worth celebrating 250 years later. How does this apply to us? What have you declared in your life? Have you been brave enough to write it down and show it to others? You may not risk death by declaring the start of a health journey or writing down your commitment to your physical fitness. What it will hopefully do is keep you committed. That translates to something very important. When you are committed, you stay true to the goal long after the motivation to do so has passed. Do not want to eat healthy after a long work day? You have a written declaration to do so. Do not want to go to the gym because you are too sore from the last time? You wrote down a declaration, maybe even let others see it, that you were going to commit to that.

What have you declared in your life? Have you stayed true to it, even when you did not feel like doing so? Have you declared anything at all? How about writing down your own declaration? Good areas to think of is your business, your marriage and your family. People spend a lot of time writing down their wedding vows, but what about the rest of your life? What about signing your wedding vows and keeping a framed copy in the house. That way when discord does happen, you can be reminded of what you promised. How about a declaration of health on the bathroom mirror. Even a declaration to become the best version of yourself. All of these, written out and signed, will hold you accountable. Even if you never show them to another soul, seeing your words and your signature should be enough to motivate you to keep your word to yourself.

As the country celebrates this document, thinking of declaring your independence from mediocrity. Declare what kind of person you are going to be in every area of your life! Feel free to share them with others, or just place them where you can see your words and your signature. Do not write a declaration flippantly. Do so with meaning, dedication and purpose.