Just as July 4th ended, the idea to create my own Declaration of Independence as a writer occurred to me. Since I missed the boat on the 4th, I’m going to declare July 5 as my own personal Independence Day. As a source of inspiration, the July 4, 1776 version is unbeatable. What could be more compelling than these bold, forthright words, which sparked a revolution and changed the world:
“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.“
Quoting this statement, I was struck by the phrase “unalienable Rights” and in particular, the word “unalienable,” which is variously defined as “incapable of being surrendered or transferred,” “non-negotiable,” and “sacrosanct.” “Sacrosanct” piqued my interest and sent me on another little word chase. I came up with “sacred,” “respected,” “untouchable.” Now that’s food for thought.
What sacred, non-negotiable, untouchable rights do I want to endow myself with as a writer on my personal Independence Day ? Let’s start with these:
I endow myself with the right to believe in my work and its intrinsic value.
I endow myself with the right to honor and nurture my desire to devote the
time needed to pursue my craft and push my writing to the next level.
I endow myself with the right to put my creative writing center stage and to
do whatever it takes to create forward motion each day.
I endow myself with the right to pursue any ideas, tools, training, and experience
that will help me improve my craft.
I endow myself with the right to see myself as part of a long and joyful tradition of
storytellers and mythmakers who enrich the world through words.
Well that’s what I came up with. How about you?
The concept of ‘Rights’ is a complex are, isn’t it, whether for humans in general or writers in particular. I very much liked your sentiments, though the puritan in me would always look to balance this up with Responsibilities. And of course as a Brit the admirable words of the Declaration don’t have the same historical colouring.
I personally try to adhere to the triple (and wonderfully alliterative) principles of Live, Laugh, Love. Whenever I’m feeling selfish, depressed or angry, when I’m acting inconsiderately or foolishly, this self-motto helps me re-orientate myself correctly. And probably informs my writing!
I hadn’t realised that this trilogy of precepts was originally from a 1904 poem Success by Bessie Anderson Stanley. Despite its now less-than-PC gender bias (odd to me because it’s by a woman) this still deeply resonates. You probably know the poem already, but it’s new to me:
He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much;
Who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children;
Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
Who has never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty or failed to express it;
Who has left the world better than he found it,
Whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;
Who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had;
Whose life was an inspiration;
Whose memory a benediction.
If only this was how success is measured by all humanity.
Many thanks for your inspiring comment and for sharing your motto — surely a wonderful one for pursuing the writing life. I agree wholeheartedly that Rights and Responsibilities are two sides of the same coin. You’ve set me to pondering about our obligations as writers — surely there’s a post lurking in those deep woods! And thank you so much for passing on the lovely poem you came across. If we could all take it to heart, what a kinder, gentler world it would be.
As always, I cherish your comments and enjoy your wandering from your calmgrove to greet and inspire me!
Write on, Karin
> Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2013 09:44:52 +0000 > To: kmja_w@hotmail.com >
Hello,
Many thanks for your comment and for sharing your wonderful motto about the writing life — surely one that must serve you well in surviving the slings and arrows we writers are heir to! And I wholeheartedly agree with you that Rights and Responsibilities are two sides of the same coin. You’ve set me to pondering the obligations we have as writers to our readers — surely there is a post lurking in those deep woods. And thank you also for passing on the lovely poem you found. If we could all heed its wisdom, what a kinder, gentler world this would be.
As always, I cherish your comments and so enjoy your wandering from calmgrove to inspire and nourish me with your reflections.
Write on, Karin
> Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2013 09:44:52 +0000 > To: kmja_w@hotmail.com >