Happy (Early) Independence Day and I hope you are ramping up for a day/weekend of fun, festivities, and/or fellowship! In case you do not remember, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The document was the last of a series of steps that led to the final separation of 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain, specifically Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia. As we approach our 248th anniversary, please note that the Declaration of Independence still promotes three basic ideas: 1) All of mankind is equal and afforded the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; 2) the main responsibility of our government is to protect these rights; and, 3) if a government tries to withhold these rights, mankind is free to resist said government. Today, I feel compelled to drill down on these three points as a strong, self-reliant, successful woman and share a few insights.
1/All of mankind is equal and afforded the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. First, make sure you read mankind as womankind since we are also entitled to having these unalienable rights. A quarter of a century ago, mankind may have meant men only; however, we are in different times right now. Every woman on the face of the Earth has the right to create the life she wants, own the freedom to do whatever she wants to do (or not do whatever she does not want to do), and pursue the thing(s) that make her happy. As I tell the women I empower, be selfish every now and again because no one else will ever be capable of putting you first. Use your “ME TIME” to figure out what makes you feel happy and free in this life and make a conscious effort to go after it!
2/The main responsibility of our government is to protect these rights. Secondly, make sure you continue to trust in yourself to ensure you always have access to these rights since the government continues to deprioritize justice for women. Do not rely on the government or any governing body to fight for what is best for you; only you can put yourself first and fight for whatever you need. As I often state, “Closed mouths do not get fed,” so if you are not asking for what you need – at home, at work, and everywhere in between – there is no way you are going to ever obtain it. The worst response you can ever get is a, “No,” but you can hold your head high knowing you at least made the ask. Remember that you miss 100% of the shots you do not take.
3/If a government tries to withhold these rights, mankind is free to challenge said government. Lastly, make sure you always defy any situation or person that/who does not work in your best interest, no matter what. We, as women, are expected to be a certain way based on society’s standards when we no longer need to abide by any of that. In watching Poor Things last evening, one of my favorite exchanges occurred when Bella Baxter (Emma Stone) walked away from Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo) and shouted, “We are our own means of production,” after he chastised her newfound employment at a Parisian brothel. I would never penalize any woman’s desired means of pursuing her happiness; I just want every woman to focus on being happy AND being her most authentic self!
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