The day before the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress 234 years ago must have been filled with incredible anticipation. Thomas Jefferson, a delegate to Congress at the time, submitted five hand-written copies that were modified, particularly in relation to slavery, before being approved.
Only two original fair copies remain: one in Philadelphia and the other in New York.
To see a transcript of Jefferson’s fair copy, see:
Click to access Independence_Transcript_2009.pdf
How do you handle the “big” moments in your life? Do you tend to show up? Are you in the right place at the right time? Do you feel prepared when the spotlight goes on?
The key to successfully handling the big moments – as few and as far between they may be – is found in how you handle the small and seemingly insignificant challenges that land at your doorstep every day. You have the opportunity to handle everything in life with grace, efficiency, integrity and dignity. The little details in life provide a wonderful, relatively low stakes proving ground for the cultivation of these qualities of character.
Nothing in this sense is unimportant. Neither is everything you face of equal importance. In life there are priorities and developing the capacity to prioritize is another vital tool that will serve you well if you keep it sharp and at hand.
What stops you from giving your all in the little details of life? An inability to maintain attention? Laziness? Feeling like someone else should have been given that detail? If there is any excuse like that in your heart or mind, well, you have a good place to start working!
Take the time you need to do everything you do, well. It might require a little extra effort, attention, focus and follow-through, but you can do it! In so doing you will find yourself well-prepared to handle the big things in life in the same easy, graceful and confident way.
Gregory Hake 
It always seems that people believe they can handle the big things in their life, without handling the little details. If you think about it however, you can see that most “big” things in life are composed of little things anyway! I like be prepared for most eventualities, and doing everything in life the best I can do it seems like a way to prepare for anything. Thanks!
LikeLike
Worthy subject. When we look at our lives it is the sum total of many days, moments and choices. I really appreciate the many courageous moments and choices that brought about the birth of our nation.
Studying this course of events and the visionary men and women who as individuals, had key parts to the success of creating this great country is humbling, inspiring and amazing. In many instances if the individual person had “dropped the ball” it would have been over. Thank God they had the character to follow through no matter how tough their task, thankless their part, alone they felt or bleak things looked. It’s not over yet, there is still so much to do in this generation to ensure the future of not just this country but the planet.
LikeLike
Benjamin Franklin once said, “He that is good at making excuses is seldom good at anything else,” and frankly I can see that it is just a bad habit to get into. So I appreciate your challenge for personal excellence, and I accept!
LikeLike
As you watch little ones you see they pay so much attention to the details and little things that we as adults so often take for granted. It is the detail and the attention to just a small change that in the end will have a significant impact on a situation. If we can allow ourselves to be open to learning as a child does and pay attention to what we think, say and do our world will be a much better place for ourselves and others.
Have a wonderful weekend.
LikeLike
This particular holiday shouldn’t go without gratitude for the all that went into the ‘birth’ of our great nation. Even better, to consider the personal implications for oneself, because a nation is only as great as the integrity of its citizens. Thanks for bringing this to the forefront.
LikeLike
When I finished reading your post this morning, it made me think of the artist who paints a picture. If the attention to detail is not kept consistently in relationship to the style of the painting (i.e. impressionism, abstraction, realism), then the end result will be an inferior creation.
The same is true in our lives. Our “styles” may all be different, but the attention to detail that we give to our lives reveals our true depth of character. We all have the ability to build a masterpiece with what is given to us and all have the supplies within us to do it!
LikeLike
I Agree,
Development of Character, inevitably proves to one, just how trustworthy Truth and Life are, through the expression of Mastery, and Wisdom; which is Fearless.
The proper handling, within my heart, of the spirits in which I abide, determine the efficacy of All that I do. It really is the “Little Foxes that Spoil the Vine”
Priority now and always is the elimination and purification of such, Attitudes, concepts, beliefs, fears…and what better arena to do so, than when the stakes are low, and so the casualties.
Thank-you Gregg for bringing this into focus this morn, a great day it shall be! Enjoy yours!
LikeLike
My father always said that integrity is doing the right thing even when no one sees you. I think all of your points are outstanding, and I look forward to being ‘present’ and making sure no detail is missed in how I handle things. I hope you and your family enjoy the holiday weekend!
LikeLike