Independence

A few days ago, the United States celebrated Independence Day, a day that reminds us of the importance of freedom and self-determination, which thanks to Google, led me to some uproarious quotes:

• “I like Independence Day. It’s the one night a year when I can promise my husband fireworks.”

• “These fireworks are awesome! High four!”, and this one:

Made my day. 😀 

Back in 1979 the movie "Breaking Away" narrated the story of four friends in a rural town struggling with the challenges of adulthood, class struggles, and the pursuit of their dreams.

It hit home hard because it mirrored my own experiences and struggles during that stage of life.

In 1984, the rock band Queen tightened their popularity with the mammoth hit I Want To Break Free - emphasizing the desire for liberation and breaking free from societal expectations. That song is still rocking today.

38 years after Tears for Fears lamented about Everybody Wanting To Rule The World, things don’t seem to have changed much for the better either.

Whether it is in your face, upfront and unabashed patriotism, self-deprecating one-liners, coming-of-age movies, protest songs, or otherwise, the underlying message is that -

• We all long for freedom

• We all yearn for independence, and

• No one wants to be controlled

I am not a wet blanket but the truth is that most of us probably would not have the opportunity to influence political independence on a grand scale. Unless of course, that is your ambition or calling.

However, we do possess the power to make a significant difference on a smaller, more individualistic scale. Things like personal, intellectual, and economic independence, that are pivotal for one's self-growth and development.

Personal independence are everyday desires like the pursuit of happiness, self-reliance, contrarian thinking, developing leadership traits, and various other elements that contribute to our overall autonomy.

Steve Jobs’ quote spells it out:

For some having a car at 18 could be the epitome of independence. For me, at that age, having my own room was hitting the jackpot. Owning a motorcycle would have been the equivalent of a moon landing.😅 

But moving away from home at 23 was probably the best thing that happened to me. I relished the experience. It was where I discovered myself. I grew up. It forced me out of my shell. I became “independent”. 😆 

More importantly, I discovered that being independent is an act of self-love.

When we prioritize our personal independence, we choose to unlock our highest potential. Self-love leads to self-development, which allows us to reach new heights.

At 15, Malala Yousafzai stood up for girls' education in Pakistan and almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school, and few expected her to survive. She did.

Malala became a symbol of courage and determination.

Her advocacy led to global attention on the importance of education for all children, especially girls, and she continues to work towards ensuring access to quality education worldwide.

Jane Goodall's passion for wildlife and the environment led her to study chimpanzees in their natural habitat, challenging traditional scientific methods at the time.

Through her groundbreaking research and conservation efforts, Goodall has not only deepened our understanding of primates but also raised awareness about the importance of environmental conservation and the need to protect endangered species.

Her work has inspired countless individuals to take action and make a difference in preserving our planet.

If the first half of life is one of conquests and striving for victory, then the second half offers the opportunity to come to terms with reality, and embark on new journeys.

Instead of abandoning dreams entirely or pursuing unattainable ones, it can be time to dream of new possibilities.

• If passion for a particular hobby still burns within, why not pursue it wholeheartedly?

• If the aspiration is to make the community a better place, then take action.

• If it’s to make peace with oneself or family or whoever it may be, there's no better time than to start now.

The journey may be somewhat downhill now but the view can still be spectacular. 😃 

Famous last words:

Embracing independence is crucial as it leads to personal fulfillment, something that I believe all of us aspire to achieve in our lifetime. And it begins with asking the right questions.

Till next time,

Jude