Happy 4th of July!
As Thomas Jefferson wrote in The Declaration of Independence, adopted 238 years ago today:
And as Elizabeth Cady Stanton clarified in The Declaration of Sentiments, in 1848, “All men and women are created equal…,” in case there was any lingering doubt.
We are all equal.
Every one of us has an intrinsic, unconditional human value that is wholly separate from external factors, including appearance, intelligence, education, race, gender, skill, abilities or disabilities, physical fitness, income or net worth, church activity, marital status, history, energy level or health, self-control, productivity, likeability, power, selfishness or selflessness, or anything else outside our core beings. Everything external is just that—external to our intrinsic worth.
I’m sharing this message today because I need it myself. This is one I too have trouble remembering. Ironically, I have no trouble believing in the inherent worth of others; what I have trouble remembering is that I am equal to everyone else. My value is also unconditional and intrinsic.
You see, I often tie my perceived value to external events. When things are going well—when I’ve accomplished something I’m proud of or I’ve received praise or recognition—I feel great. When I’ve underperformed or made a mistake or am just having a bad day, I feel bad about myself.
As Glen R. Schiraldi, PhD, shares in The Self-Esteem Workbook, “A person is like a seed—whole; complete, but not completed—possessing in embryo every conceivable capacity: to think rationally, to emote, to sacrifice, to love, to make ethical choices, to recognize truth and worth, to create, to beautify, to be gentle, patient, or firm.” You see, we are all perfect, whole, and complete—and equal to one another in all of those things.
So, today, while you take time to celebrate our nation’s independence, take a moment to celebrate your own value independent of external things or events—past or present—and to honor the inherent worth of yourself and every other being on this planet.
Cheers,
