July 4th is a National Holiday. I knew this, but I always thought it was recognized for being The Aphelion, the point in the year when the Earth is farthest from the Sun. Nope. It turns out this date, aside from the Aphelion and The Battle of Klushino during the Polish-Muscovite War, is also known as American Independence Day!
On this day 235 years ago, 56 sweaty, ambitious and dentally challenged white men sat around a table and adopted the Declaration of Independence - a document that told Britain from this day forward, Do F*ck Off!
What's this got to do with aggressive boyfriends?? Cheating girlfriends? Droopy breasts? The meat and potatoes of Guyspeak.com? Quite a bit. Please read on.
What struck me is July 4th, 1776 just marks the day of INTENTION. We the people intended to be Independent. We didn't gain it until 1783. Seven years later! Or technically January 14, 1784, the day The Congress of the Confederation ratified the Paris Treaty. (Thanks Wikipedia, I owe you lunch).
I love the idea that we as a nation formally celebrate a day of intention more than the day the intention was achieved. This means we celebrate and acknowledge the power of setting goals. The power of recognition and steadfast action.
If a bunch of ragged colonial farmers and merchants could kick, scream and pry themselves from the British Empire, surely we as individuals can declare independence from many bad habits, routines and mind sets that keep us taxed and oppressed.
Set an intention and move forward: Refuse to stay in an abusive relationship and work toward that goal. Refuse to have your boundaries crossed, your time wasted, your money squandered, your feelings taken advantage of.
Think of every day as your personal July 4th. This means it doesn't matter if you're still 100 pounds overweight today; what matters is you draw a line in the sand today and say "Today is my Declaration of Food Independence." From this day on: I diet. I exercise. I get counseling, etc.
Over the years I've declared My (Intention) Independence from many things: cigarettes, manic dating sprees, enmeshed family drama, crappy jobs, difficult friendships, self bullying.
Some of these declarations have been met with victory - a treaty between me and Camel Lights happened years ago, for example. Other things take more battling, more work: steady progress.
And that's the key. Stick to your guns and forge a better quality of life for yourself. Every time you hear 4th of July, remind yourself of its real significance: A personal check-in with your Declarations of Intentions.
Long after the fireworks, beer and burgers are digested, it's about your Evolutionary War.
Red, white and DO!
Newsworthy
it always did confuse me that you celebrate your country's birthday on it's non-actual birthday LOL
Wow! Great message and spot on for all of us! Thanks, FG... Happy Declarations Day to you, too! This has kind of been my mantra for the last year... literally this July 4th being my 1 year anniversary of forging ahead and leaving, or trying to leave, all the bad behind. Working thru all the garbage I left pile up in my life... A year later, here I am...having shed 250 pounds after finally dumping the wickedly abusive husband and refusing to look back in fear, LOL, as well as 130 pounds lighter myself after gaining my freedom, LOL, and though its been a helluva tough year, every bump in the road was so worth it, and now I'm finally outta the storms, enjoying life again, reclaiming all I lost for decades, and celebrating life and my independence right alongside my adult kids... Life is good, independence is good, having great intentions is what its all about... don't give up, keep up the good fight and live the life you were meant to live! Peace and love to all!
Good for you!
Best blog yet! Very wise, insightful and funny, too. Thanks for a great 4th of July message.
I agree. Brilliant!