We're coming up on the commemoration of the most powerful time in our nation's history. July 4th, 1776 -- the day when our forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence, declaring their independence from British rule. That single, audacious act set in motion the advancement of a country whose foundation is the very same solid foundation of life itself.
Our forefathers had a very strong belief that they clearly and confidently held in common. And The Declaration of Independence begins by affirming that shared belief. They wrote: We hold these truths.
Were they holding those truths in their hands like a book? No, they were holding them in their hearts and minds.
And how did they realize those truths? They wrote that they held those truths to be self-evident. You see, those truths weren't something that someone had taught them. They weren't something that someone had stood before them and preached to them. They weren't something that they had read in a book. No, they instinctively knew certain things to be true. They weren't looking outside of themselves to a person or an institution in order to know and affirm their belief. They looked within, to their own souls, their own wisdom, and believed in the truth of their being that rang loudly in their hearts.
And what were those self-evident truths?
...that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator
with certain unalienable rights and among these rights are life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Our founding fathers knew and felt the truth about themselves and about life. They knew that the very basis of life is one of freedom. And declaring their belief in that self-evident truth rocked the world. It changed everything.
We all have an innate desire for freedom on every level of life. And when we come to really know and believe the self-evident truth that each one of us is intended to live freely in body, mind and spirit, everything changes. We begin to realize that life is not against us. Life is for us. Bondage or servitude of any kind, whether on a physical, mental or emotional level, is not God-ordained. Freedom is our Divine birthright. Just listen to that still, small voice within and you'll hear the self-evident truth. Life is not about struggle and strife. It's about freedom. It's about Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
Yes, our founding fathers had a very strong belief, one for which they were willing to put their very lives on the line. They knew that by declaring the truth about life and the truth about themselves, they would have to step forward and take responsibility for making freedom a reality. They wrote:
And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the
protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other,
our lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
They signed a written commitment. They were willing to give all that they had and all that they were for the accomplishment of their goal. They connected with the truth of their being and, in doing so, they contributed to a cause that would affect not only their lives, nor just our lives, but one that would stand as a beacon for freedom around the world.
When we allow ourselves to release our false beliefs in lack and limitation, we begin to live life fully and freely. As we step forward to create the lives we're intended to have, to be the free individuals we're intended to be, and to do what we're here to do on this planet, we will see change in the world. As we dare to go within and listen, we will know the truth and it will set us free.