What Independence Means to Me

It’s July 1st, 2024, and I just read today’s History Chip posting about notable historic events in July, starting with the Declaration of Independence, and suggesting that we think and write about what independence means to us. Also, I’m in the middle of David McCullough’s biography of John Adams, for whom independence meant so much, and was such a driving force, so this topic was already on my mind.

Now that I think of it, independence is hard to define, at least for me, because it means so many things, and they are difficult to summarize. But here goes. First of all, to me it means political freedom to do what I wish, go where I want, associate with whom I will, and say what I want, all within the bounds of what’s legal and not harmful to others. Probably many if not most people think of these things when they hear the word independence. It means having a broad perspective that allows me to be open to new ideas, new ways of doing things, and people of all kinds so as to minimize unhealthy and unhelpful biases and snap judgments. Third, it means to be physically free—unburdened by limitations of age and disease that otherwise make people dependent on others in the conduct of their daily lives. It means being mentally and emotionally free—free, at least most of the time, from the kind of sadness and trauma and overall outlook that makes it difficult for us to be and live our fullest selves and to enjoy this day, right now, and not live in the past or the future. Finally, for me it means being well enough off financially not to have to worry about the necessities of life, now and going forward. Many, many people around the world have none of these, while others have one or more. The truly fortunate have them all.

I guess a simpler way to say it is that, to me, independence means having all the tools that make it possible to have a good heart and to be a good person, for my own sake and for the sake of others. Simple to say, but not always easy to do. I’ll keep trying.