I believe that each of us has at least one oppressive habit we would like to break free from. Smoking. Overeating. Drinking too much. Overspending. Exercising too little.
As we celebrate our nation's independence this July, it might be wise to let the spirit of the holiday inspire us to declare our independence from our habits that enslave us. If you look closely, you will see that national and personal freedom have some interesting parallels.
To begin with, the Declaration of Independence was not a spur of the moment decision. As its text points out "mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."
In personal terms, this desperate emotion is known as "hitting bottom" when it starts a personal revolution to free us from victimization by our unhealthy habits. A person must accept the unacceptability of the habit. They must also be angry enough to do something about it. People refer to this as being sick and tired of being sick and tired.
A distinguishing feature of the US Declaration of Independence is that it not only ended something (British rule), but also introduced a new idea into world consciousness
- the notion of self-rule.
It is important when starting a personal revolution that you develop an added dimension. Don't just quit something. Become something new and better.
Freedom from an addiction begins with a bold declaration that the person has gone to war with the habit and intends to separate from it absolutely. The alcoholic who accepts that one drink is too much and a thousand is not enough is on the road to recovery. Smokers who understand that one cigarette will likely get them hooked again, save themselves the trouble of reaching new, lower bottoms. There is nothing wrong with becomming fanatical about your insistence on being free. In fact, I have found that a degree of fanaticism is essential for success.
So, when in the course of human events, you reach a point where you are no longer willing to pay the price for your habits or addictions, the first step is to make a Personal Declaration of Independence. Declare yourself free of this addiction once and forever. The second is to begin to live, as though it were so. And it may not be easy. As Thomas Jefferson said, "Do not expect to be translated from despotism to liberty on a featherbed."
And, by all means, continue to celebrate your independence. Habits have a way of sneaking back when we least expect it. Just as the British decided to try to regain their "colonies" in 1812, addictions and old, destructive habits lie in wait looking for a moment of weakness. Be grateful for the change and be vigilant for any threats against your independence. Get it right and you can look forward to happy Independence Days in the years to come
