Independence Day is coming up this week. This day celebrates the time in history when the 13 original American colonies united to declare independence from Great Britain. Of course, the declaration was merely the first step in a long battle toward liberty. With America’s 250th birthday on the horizon, I thought I’d share a few thoughts for your 4th of July.
Overcoming Obstacles
The Revolutionary War was fraught with difficulty, and there were many moments when those involved were tempted to give up. In fact, some of the most stirring quotes from this time were issued when the future appeared quite bleak, such as:
“We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”
~Benjamin Franklin
“Give me liberty or give me death.”
~ Patrick Henry
“I have not yet begun to fight.”
~ John Paul Jones
“Liberty must at all hazards be supported.”
~ John Adams
“ Tyranny like hell is not easily conquered yet we have this consolation with us, the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value.”
~ Thomas Paine
“Remember officers and Soldiers, that you are free men, fighting for the blessings of Liberty.”
~ George Washington
“We fight, get beat, rise and fight again.”
~ General Nathanael Greene
One thing is clear: the pursuit of freedom requires commitment, tenacity, and a belief that the goal is achievable.
Freedom and Organizing
The tagline of my business is, “Freedom Through Organization.” I honestly believe that organizing one’s time, space, and belongings enhances quality of life. Unfortunately the “tyranny” of modern living, characterized by complexity and time pressure, can be a thief of joy. Fortunately, like the colonists, we have the ability to resist the status quo. Similarly, just as they sometimes needed a good rallying cry, we too can benefit from a catch phrase or thought when the odds seem stacked against us.
Therefore, in the spirit of the 4th, I’m sharing some of my favorite phrases with the hope of inspiring you to toss off any restraints that are encumbering you and to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
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Happy Independence Day to all! Which one is your favorite?
Absolutely love this!! I have been slowly but surely organizing and decluttering here. So, I couldn’t agree more about how freeing it really is to do so. With that said, want to wish you a very, Happy 4th this week!! 🙂
Hope you have a wonderful week and happy 4th with your beautiful family, Janine!
I love them all and I hope you will share individually so that I can share them. I share a gratitude quote weekly in my group so I would love to use that one there if you are okay with it. A gratitude practice is so helpful in allowing more abundance for what you want and happiness and appreciation for the moment.
Fee free to share any of them, Kim! You can pin them from my post as well, if you want them one at a time. Wishing you a wonderful 4th!!
Happy 4th today! My favorite of your quotes was about letting go and catching something new. It’s just perfect.
I am pondering that one this holiday weekend, wondering what I might be holding onto that is keeping my hands from grasping onto something better! Hope you are having a great holiday weekend up there:)
As Kim said, “I love them all”. If I have to pick a most favorite of all, I would pick “If you don’t quite, you don’t have to start over”. This one speaks to me above the rest because it’s the accumulation of all the little things we do which moves us forward.
I also love the quotes from our nation’s founders. Our freedom from Great Britain did not come easily or quickly. This is something to remember and celebrate.
It sure didn’t come easily or quickly. I’ve been watching the Ken Burns documentary on the revolution and am learning afresh, as well as being reminded, of all that transpired!
So many great quotes. My favorite one is, “Dwell on positive action. Where the mind goes, the body will follow.” Developing a positive vision and working toward it is so satisfying.
I need that reminder for myself. It’s easy to get into a habit of negative thinking, which only undermines any efforts to make positive progress.
Happy birthday, Seana! Sharing your birthday with America’s 250th is quite the occasion. Lovely post and I hope you celebrate well.
Thank you, Cathy!
Great quotes! I especially like the one about priorities and decisions, because making decisions is often more difficult for me than it needs to be.
Having clear priorities definitely makes decision-making easier. As long as you stick to your priorities, many choices make themselves.
Great quotes; my favorite one is ” We are what we repeatedly do.” When working with clients, and they ‘get it’ and see the importance of repetitive small tasks, they see progress and move forward. Whether you do tasks in bursts every few weeks or every day, consistency matters. Thanks for sharing, Seana. Happy 4th of July!
Happy 4th to you too, Sabrina! I love that quote so much. 🙂
This post is a timeless classic! It would be impossible to pick just one quote, but my favorites are:
* As long as you are breathing, it’s not too late. (True of organizing, showing gratitude, getting out of a bad relationship, and so much more.)
* Dwell on positive action. Where the mind goes, the body will follow. (I’ve had clients who bemoan whatever has led to the situation they’re in. But the only way to escape it is one task after another, moving toward the freedom you espouse.)
* Letting go frees your hands to catch new and better things. (Amen, sister!)
* Putting things away is like wrapping a gift for your future self. (I love it!!! And I’m going to steal it to use with clients…with attribution, of course.)
May we continue to keep striving for a more perfect union, and a life that serves us more perfectly at home and in our spaces. Happy Independence Day week, Seana!
Wishing you a very happy Independence Day week too, Julie. So much to be thankful for, and always more to achieve. 🙂
Outstanding! I loved them all. We need some inspiring quotes to counteract the negative news always coming at us. The threat of socialism requires that we have the same determination to keep our freedom that the Revolutionary War and the founding fathers had in achieving it for us.
Keeping our determination to keep our belongings organized also requires commitment and good results always follow. Thank you Seana.
I’m so glad these resonated with you, Dianne! Happy 4th to you and yours. 🙂