Celebrate Your Independence

Celebrate Your Independence

©Scott D. Wilson 2014

July 1 is in essence Canada’s Independence Day. It is the day that Canada celebrates its confederation and declared its ability to stand apart from Mother England. In the United States July the 4 is a similar commemoration. With people, we have similar ceremonies for graduations and weddings. Graduations celebrate individuals’ movement towards independence from their families. Weddings honour the confederation of two people into a newly formed family.

Society, through its ceremonies and customs, certainly demonstrates that it values independence. And this is good. Paradoxically, identity is forged with links to our community but also through our own uniqueness and individuality. Every parent craves independence for their children because we want them to thrive without us. We rejoice with every success they make in forming their own identity.

When we look to the most successful people throughout history we cannot help but notice the fierce independence of so many of them. They stood out. They were not afraid to differ from their peers and fellow men and women. In one sense, the world rewards unique and inspiring people who do not simply dream but fight the battle necessary to achieve those dreams.

One dictionary defines the word ‘independent’ as follows:

• not subject to control by others : self-governing
• not affiliated with a larger controlling unit
• not requiring or relying on something else
• not looking to others for one's opinions or for guidance in conduct

If this definition is factual then despite our cultural drive for independence, very few of us achieve a great measure of it. Most of mankind enjoys affiliation to larger controlling units, be they our companies or our countries or something else. Even billionaires rely on global stability and rules to conduct their daily affairs. It is, however, the last part of the definition that is the most condemning. How many of us look to others daily for validation and guidance?

Independent thinking seems to be valued in leaders but not encouraged among the common man. At first, this may seem counter -intuitive. However, if one thinks about it, independent thinking and action is almost like a test of bravery or a rite of passage. Those willing to stand out and to forego the safety of conformity face a battle against the power of the status quo. Freedom, both of mind and body, are always won through battle.

If one can withstand the daily pressures to fit in then one can finally begin to touch real independence. Independence sprouts when one begins to learn who they truly are without any cues from family or society. It shines forth when an individual begins to trust themselves more than they trust others. Independence rings out when someone can unapologetically say “Here I am world. Are you ready for me?”

The journey to real freedom begins in the heart and mind and plays out in our daily struggles. The constant pressure to follow and accept the ideas and reality of others is strong and even tempting. It is easiest to accept what others see and believe about us. Independence is not the path for every man or woman. Everyone can be free but not everyone will choose to think and act freely. To be free means to take full responsibility for one’s life and its outcome. Independence means that one cannot be a victim. To be free is to take risks and own the consequences, both fair and foul.

So as July begins and independence is celebrated with fanfare and fireworks, I challenge my reader to look at their life, their heart and their thoughts. Are you truly free? Do you want to be free? Are you working your heart and mind towards real independence? If so then those fireworks are for you. Each explosion cheers a victory that you have achieved in becoming more fully and authentically yourself. Every blaze of colour rejoices in your release from the slavery of the views and opinions of others! Those brilliant flashes proclaim to the world the arrival of a new and independent you!