Given that the 4th of July is just around the corner, I thought a little history lesson was in order. 

Probably one of the most courageous groups in our history are those we know as the founding mothers and fathers.  It was because of their foresight that the Bill of Rights officially became part of the U.S. Constitution on December 15, 1791.  Written by James Madison (who went on to become the country's fourth president) these first ten amendments to the constitution were really the colonists' wish list.  They knew very clearly what they wanted and what they wouldn't settle for, exemplified by what they had experienced back in Europe.  You can read the original BIll of Rights here.

It seems appropriate at this time, then, to establish a Personal Bill of Rights.  What do we want and what won't we settle for during on time here on earth?  To give you some ideas, I'm sharing my list with you.

Amendment 1.  To love myself, because it makes it so much easier to love others. (This is the hardest one for me!)

Amendment 2.  To speak up when I witness injustice, even if it puts me in someone's crosshairs.

Amendment 3.  To ask for help, because no one can do it all and asking for help often helps others.

Amendment 4. To be resiliant, because courageous people are always kicked down.  To maintain their courage, they must get up again.

Amendment 5. To give praise and credit to others, because some days mine may be the only kind words they hear.

Amendment  6. To lead by example, including parenting, because the old addage, "Do as I say, not as I do,"  is bunk!

Amendment 7. To appreciate what I have, and realize that if I had it all, I wouldn't have anything to work toward.

Amendment 8.  To never stop dreaming, because dreams were the catalyst for everything we see around us.

Amendment 9. To encourage others to dream, remembering that theirs are as important as mine.

Amendment 10. To be courageous at least once every day, because it will make me a stronger and better person.

If my Bill of Rights suits you, it's yours. Feel free to edit or rewrite too.  The point is this: while each of these requires courage, making them happen will build a world that's just a little bit better for me and those around me.  Imagine the power of a lot of us doing the same thing!  Those were the thoughts our founders had.  Now it's up to us to see to it their dreams keep coming true (please refer to #9!).