The fourth of July brings to mind cookouts with family and friends and fireworks lighting up the night sky. Mittens have been stored away and sunglasses are the fashion trend. Fans are fanning, air conditioners humming and we celebrate the arrival of summer. Yet there is so much more to consider on the fourth day of July. We must remember its’ history and the embodiment of what it truly means to be an American.

  Now I must confess one of my favorite movie musicals is 1776. No matter how often I watch it, I am always inspired by the men who shaped our nation. The risk and sacrifices so many made so long ago in order for us to be able to sit outside on our patio and drink our glass of chardonnay in peace. (Remember it was one of our founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin who wrote, “Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards, there it enters the roots of the vines, to be changed into wine, a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy.”)

  “By Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved…”Words of independence, of foresight, of treason. Depending upon whose side you were on, the Declaration of Independence was a declaration of war. It was a declaration of standing up for one’s rights and beliefs. It was a declaration that could cost you your life, if Britain put down the rebellion. It took the courage of their convictions and bravery to sign this document. Yet fifty-six men all affixed their name to this paper and were willing to die for a cause they believed in. Upon signing his name, Ben Franklin quipped, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

  These fifty-six men were true leaders and visionaries. They sacrificed much so we could have plenty. The Congress of the 1770s was quite different than the one now. They lived in Philadelphia, leaving behind their families, farms and businesses. Many saw their livelihood disappear and learned of the passing of loved ones to disease through letters delivered weeks later. Trips home were difficult and infrequent. The “perks” of serving in Congress were not what they are now.

  Yet these men were visionaries. The policies and practices they put into place remain to this day. Our government system has lasted over two hundred years due to their foresight and genius. We may not always be fond of the way our government is working, but the fact that it is in place without civil war or social unrest is a testament to what they created centuries ago.

  We can all be better citizens, people and business men and women by learning from those who shaped our country. We can examine what it is that we believe in and then have the courage to act upon it. We are all serving others during a difficult time in their lives, yet each circumstance is different and brings with it a certain level of flexibility that we must practice. How far are you willing to extend yourself to accommodate the needs of a family? What amount of profit are you willing to sacrifice to help a family without the financial ability to pay? How do you differentiate the funeral and burial of a veteran versus a civilian? What if they have been killed in action? How does what you believe about the work you do shape the policies you have in place? Do you stay true to your convictions even when it may be a difficult circumstance to manage?

  What is your vision for your company’s future? Are you setting goals for this month or setting forth policies that will take your business into the next century? Do you complain about things you think are unfair or take action to correct them? Are you a decisive leader (no matter your title) or do you wait until you are pushed to do something? Are you able to look at past history in order to learn best practices and then take it a step further by making improvements in what you do? Is your staff a united, cohesive group that “hangs together”?

  This fourth of July reflect upon the (t)reason that created our country and those that overcame enormous obstacles in order to bring it into being. Americans still believe, as Thomas Jefferson wrote, “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.” And those are beliefs worth dying for.