Declaration: a part of speech where things change simply because something has been said.
You're hired.
You're fired.
You are now married.
Here's our strategic plan.
Parliament is open.
are all declarations.You'll see already that who declares is a fundamental part of what gives a declaration its power. These days, only the Queen can declare the UK parliament open (try it out for yourself... not much will happen). And only people with sufficient authority in an organisation can declare you hired or fired.But there are many declarations that require you to hold no position of power other than being you, because you are already the authority (the author) of your own experience and your own intentions:
I love you.
I never want to see you again.
I want to be happy.
I need to rest.
I'm done with this relationship.
I intend to work this problem out.
I want this to change. Now.
I'm interested / bored / angry / sad / grateful.
I don't want to be part of this any more.
I'm sorry.
The declarations you are prepared to make play a significant role in establishing your identity. They lay out what you stand for, what matters to you. They make what you're experiencing known. Other people are audience to them and, in a very real way, you are audience to them too.Declaring changes you and how other people know you.You might hold back from declaring because it always carries a measure of risk. Things will be different if you speak up, with who knows what outcome?So the declarations you don't make establish your identity too.Declarations are powerful, potent, important.And for this reason, some people - perhaps you? - hardly declare themselves at all.