We’ve been taught the “Spirit of 76” was a phrase embodying American independence in 1776. Our founders, Continental Congress, Continental Army, Militia, and colonists were supposedly caught up in this fighting spirit that led to our freedom. It’s not true.
The truth is that by the time we got to declaring our independence in July of 1776, our army was hanging by a mere thread, Congress was clueless, and colonists were fleeing the sinking ship known as America and heading to the British side in droves. We were in deep trouble and the spirit was anything but inspirational. George Washington, however, just kept plodding along. He may not have been great, in fact he lost more battles than he won, but he was consistent. He never gave up. He kept fighting on.
From whence did this character arise?
Let’s look at a hinge moment for GW. In debt up to his eyeballs and beholden to the London merchants, he made a decidre (Latin for decision – to cut off) in 1766 declaring his independence. Instead of following the path of other planters, he decided he’d had enough selling tobacco across the ocean. So, he stopped doing it.
He dug up his fields and planted wheat. Revolutionary, huh.
He built a Mill so he could control everything and sold his flour to his fellow colonists. He simplified. GW got out of debt, stopped spending like a banchee, and declared his freedom from the markets that had been all he’d known. The spirit of 66 is the spirit of independence. You see, GW tasted freedom a full decade before he led our country’s pursuit of our own. You, friend, cannot taste freedom while burdened by a mountain of debt. And, leader, it’s kinda hard to lead people when you’re weighed down in it. Freedom and responsibility are bookends. Want more freedom ? Control your finances. Take responsibility. You’ve been reminded.
The spirit of 66. Get some by getting out of some. Good.
Live hard. Love harder…
BUILT TO LEAD 
Love, love, love
message rec’d