Three Reasons to Celebrate Independence

This upcoming week, we will be celebrating the 4^th of July, the day we adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776, which declared freedom from the rule of Great Britain.

As a free nation, we grew into a world superpower. Our country’s freedom allows people to share their gifts and talents and become independently successful, which is why we keep expanding individually and as a country.

Independence is a gift. But not everyone embraces it, and some people are confused by it. Yet being free to separate from a controlling entity and become independent is a cause for celebration, not only for our country but also for individuals.

# 1 – Independence Represents Maturity

Whether you’re discussing the birth of a child or the birth of a nation, both need to be dependent initially. A new country can’t grow and mature any more than a newborn can care for itself. Support is needed for guidance and resources until certain stages of maturity are reached.

Maturity is both emotional and physical. Until a child or nation can stand on its own two feet and achieve emotional stability, it’s not possible to become fully independent. This means there are enough resources to separate from the current source(s) of sustenance and to produce enough independently.

# 2 – Independence Provides Opportunity for Growth

Moving from dependence to independence is challenging. When we look at nature, younglings naturally become independent once they’ve learned to be self-sufficient. But for humans, the process takes longer. Some individuals naturally strive for independence early on, while others must be gently guided toward self-sufficiency.

Sometimes, parents don’t foster independence — perhaps they are afraid to let go of their children. They might fear the child isn’t capable of self-care. Sometimes a child’s independence can feel like no longer being needed or the parent being alone. In these cases, it can trigger an emotional war — either internally or externally for everyone involved. Raising children from a fear-based model never fosters independence and always increases a child’s anxiety and dependence. But declaring one’s independence allows a person to discover self-sufficiency and learn to adjust to the world and all its nuances. It means weaning off being cared for and learning to care for yourself.

# 3 – Independence Provides an Opportunity for Success

The greatest gift of independence is discovering one’s innate gifts and talents. Every person has something special to offer the world. Most of these gifts can be turned into bringing joy or service to others — either monetarily or otherwise.

Success involves more than making money. It also means fulfilling all life’s dreams — aspirations and goals.

Unlike the U.S., independence need not be won through battle. Great Britain was heavily invested in the development and cultivation of this country and didn’t want to let go — understandably. Initially, the American pioneers were content with the symbiotic relationship with their mother country. But as Britain increasingly imposed tyrannical rule, the costs of interdependence became too great.

Independence is a gift; one we must embrace and treasure. Whether it’s offered freely or we must fight for it, it is essential if we are to be whole and happy. We all need others to function and survive — the blend of healthy dependence and independence is essential for optimal functioning.

Let’s remember this 4^th of July by being grateful for our independence. The freedom to mature, grow, and succeed is a wonderful blessing. Let us embrace it and never take it for granted. May we always till the soil and nurture our young in ways that foster independence, so their own garden transcends ours. Independence gained through love rather than war will always better serve the best interests of all.

JOIN OUR MOVEMENT TO SAVE MILLIONS OF LIVES FROM ADDICTION.