I hope you had a wonderful July 4th!
What did Independence Day mean to you?
Our country’s independence began on July 2nd, 1776 when the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence from England. On July 4th, delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the document drafted by Thomas Jefferson as the Declaration of Independence. Since that time, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with fireworks, parades and concerts, family gatherings and barbecues.
Independence Day is also an opportunity to ponder what independence means to you as an individual. When thinking about independence that way, I believe these 5 things are needed.
5 Essentials To Remain Independent
1. Health. Without your health, it’s much more difficult to remain independent. The more health you lose, the more you have to depend on others. You can’t cram for health; you’ve got to develop healthy habits and apply them daily.
Don’t smoke, eat healthy, exercise, sleep enough, stress less, and love more.
2. Money. You don’t have to be independently wealthy to be independent. But you do need enough money to buy food, shelter and clothing – enough for the essentials. After those needs are met, studies show that additional money does not necessarily equate with additional (or even as much) happiness.
3. Flexibility. Flexibility has more than one meaning. There is an old African proverb, “The wind does not break a tree that bends.” The mind also has to remain flexible. In a changing world we have to know how to adjust. And as we age, we are changing too. It’s OK to not be able to do what we used to do. But stay flexible and look for new ways to accomplish old tasks.
4. Socialization. It seems funny, but it’s true. To remain independent, you need other people. As the Beatles song goes, “I get by with a little help from my friends.” Everyone needs a village; friends, family and outside helpers. That’s not giving in or giving up; it’s getting it done. As Barbra Streisand sang in Funny Girl, People who need people are the luckiest people in the world.”
5. Purpose. What makes you get up in the morning? What is the thing that is on your mind every day? As Babe Ruth said, “You can’t beat the person who won’t give up.
I hope you enjoyed the July 4th holiday. And after you’ve celebrated America’s independence, you’ll take a moment to reflect on your own.
Please share this with a friend who might benefit and leave a comment.
