The Declaration of Independence, courtesy of The National Archives… all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. — Declaration of Independence
Much can be said about the Founding Fathers of America, but let’s give them this: they had their finger on the pulse of human behavior. Specifically, they nailed the reason that we struggle to change our behavior, even when our current behavior causes us pain.
Let’s take a step back for a moment.
The Founding Fathers acknowledged that when a system becomes destructive of the purpose for which it was created, it may become necessary to change or destroy it and create a new system designed to effect the desired results.
At the same time, they warned of the imprudence of changing long-standing systems for “light and transient causes.”
They recognized that our desire to be prudent is what keeps us in suffering:
… all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. — Declaration of Independence
In other words: human nature is to choose the discomfort of our current suffering over the discomfort of change.
And the fear of appearing imprudent — of looking capricious or cavalier, of making a change with inadequate justification — keeps us stuck in systems that no longer serve the ends for which we created them.
Despite the resistance to change and the fear of appearing imprudent, the Founding Fathers were emphatic in their belief that when a system perpetuates an unrelenting oppression, it is our duty to change it.
The “Systems” That Oppress Us
In the Declaration of Independence, the Founding Fathers were specifically talking about “Forms of Government.” But “systems” is not limited to forms of government or even governmental policies.
“Systems” also includes our habits — our internal operating systems. These are our inner processes and rules and our patterns of thought and behavior.
Like Pavlov’s dogs, we are slaves to the ping, jumping at every bell, whistle, horn, or other sound that emanates from our phones.
We are subject to the emotional manipulation of the news, easily baited and lured by the latest stories designed to provoke our outrage.
We are imprisoned by thoughts, beliefs and expectations, many of which didn’t even originate with us, and by habits that no longer serve us.
Declaring Independence
We can declare our independence from oppressive systems by changing or abolishing them. It is only when we begin to break the patterns and beliefs that control us that we can begin to feel freedom.
Declarations of independence often begin with revolutions.
Although abolishing the Forms of Government or changing governmental policies requires a revolution of the people, abolishing our internal oppressive systems requires only our individual willingness to change.
The revolution to declare independence from our internal systems begins with our choice to end our own suffering.
This revolution calls for us to reconsider our boundaries, our priorities, and our values.
This revolution requires clarity in our desires, commitment to align with our values, and courage to make changes that run counter to dominant cultural narratives.
This is a revolution against our own inner resistance to change.
This is a revolution for those who know they are here to lead, to heal, and to make this world a better place.
This is a revolution of body, mind, spirit, and soul.
This is The Ritual Revolution.
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