Yesterday was Independence Day in the U.S, honoring the signing of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776. We celebrate the birth of our country with fireworks, parades, picnics, concerts, fairs, festivals, and family reunions. Quite a marvelous occasion!
But what about personal independence?
According to the dictionary, independence means:
“Not controlled by others”
“To think or act for oneself”
“Capable of acting for oneself or on one’s own”
Independence does not mean we do only for ourselves but that we freely choose what we want to do for ourselves and for others. We give up being ruled by “shoulds,” “and “have to’s” and freely, independently choose.
I like the sounds of that. Do you?
By the time we reach our sixties, many of us have claimed our personal independence. Our responsibilities and obligations to kids, work, and parents have diminished or disappeared. It’s finally our turn!
If you haven’t already done so, perhaps now is the time for you. Make this your own Personal Independence Day. Declare your right to do whatever you really want to do with your life, to spend your days in ways that nurture and fulfill you.
What do you think?
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
While I do like the sound of this personal independence, the reality is that many people in their 60′s are still working. I know I plan to work as long as possible past 65 (I’m 61 now) to get as much Soc Sec as I can so I do not have to dip into my meager savings very often. I consider myself fortunate to have a job that pays good benefits. The household chores still need doing. Now I find I am taking care of my 88 year old mother as well. Our 27 year old daughter, a college graduate, is still living at home.
I don’t mean to rain on your parade here – really I don’t. I appreciate your post. I am trying to think about ways we can implement the “it’s our turn” idea in spite of responsibilities we may still have.
Debbie, I hear you. Many people do still work and have other responsibilities — much more so than we might have thought would be the case at this time in our lives. And you’re exactly right that the question then is how to implement “our turn” as best we can in the midst of the circumstances we’re in.
I did have one thing I “let go” to give me more mental space. I made a 2nd post to my new blog. And there may be other things hiding I will find as I move through the process of letting go. You’ve made me think – thank you.
hi Bonnie, I think we are all children playing in the back yard until the people who control us call us in for dinner. Most of us go but a few of us don’t get in line and live to write about it.
Sue – are you saying we’re not in control here? Just thinking.
Wishing I were playing in the back yard and someone else was fixing dinner.
That’s an interesting perspective, Sue.
That does sound fun, Debbie!
Good for you, Debbie! You’re most welcome.
Well girls, It’s all in where your responsibilities lead you. I live and work on my parents dairy farm and have lots of responsibilities, but I work out of love and that keeps me free. I think anything you do out of love is a freeing experience. You just can’t be afraid of the control people around you.
Sue, you “work out of love and that keeps your free” — that’s wonderful.