“We hold these truths…”
Now hold on right there. That’s a powerful way to begin.
We hold—we don’t guess, we don’t wonder—we hold them. Tight. Close.
Like something sacred. Like your mama’s Bible or your daddy’s flag.
“…to be self-evident…”
That means they’re plain as the nose on your face.
Truths so clear, even a child can see them.
You don’t need a law book or a fancy degree. Just a good heart.
“…that all men are created equal…”
All mankind.
Not just the rich ones. Not just the folks who look like us or talk like us.
All.
Means you, me, the mailman, the president, the farmer, the teacher, everybody.
That’s a promise we’re still learning to keep.
“…that they are endowed by their Creator…”
Now here’s the part that gives me chills.
Not by a king. Not by a government.
But by something bigger than all of us.
Call Him what you will: God, the Lord, the Creator.
Whatever name brings you peace. That’s where your rights come from.
“…with certain unalienable Rights…”
Unalienable. That means you can’t sell them, trade them, or give them away.
No one can take them from you. Not a tyrant, not a mob, not even yourself.
They’re yours. Period.
“…that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Life.
That means your right to breathe, to grow, to dream.
Liberty.
That’s your freedom: of speech, of thought, of belief.
It’s not just doing what you want… it’s the right to be who you are.
And the pursuit of Happiness?
Well, that’s the most American thing of all.
Not a guarantee of happiness, just the freedom to go looking for it.
To chase your dreams, fall down, get back up, and try again.
We forget sometimes that these words were dangerous when they were written.
They weren’t just a bunch of old men scribbling on parchment.
They were signing their lives away.
Because they believed these truths.
And they hoped… that one day, we would too.
So maybe take a moment.
Read those words again.
Not with your eyes.
But with your heart.