Happy Independence Day

I felt compelled to share some thoughts as we approach/celebrate Independence Day here in the U.S. The thousands of subscribers to my newsletters and clients in my life and business coaching programs live around the world, in many different countries. I cherish each and every subscriber and client. I am often asked to share more of my thoughts on a broader range of issues. And so I will.

Independence Day is celebrated on July 4th because that is the day (in 1776) when the Continental Congress (the committee that represented the 13 colonies that in time became the United States) adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence. The 13 colonies fought the British for 8 long years before cementing their independence. (In truth, freedom has never been free.)

In 1783, Independence Day was made an official holiday here in the U.S. Every July 4th, Americans have a holiday from work. There are day-long picnics with hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans and so on. The day's activities often also include music, baseball games, parades, three-legged races, and pie-eating or watermelon-eating contests. At night, Americans watch fireworks displays in towns large and small. I have seen fireworks displays celebrating the 4th in cities large and small in many of the states in our union. It is a beautiful thing.

Here's the deal: Independence Day is all about individual freedom. It's says that no man and no government should rule its people. I want neither a benevolent dictator nor a vicious tyrant. I want my freedom, and to bow before no man. Independence Day is about resisting the shackles of oppressive taxation. Others may accept Kings and being controlled by the all-powerful government, but America was founded way back in 1776 on the notion that no one should be ruled by another.

These leaders want to tell us what to think, how to live, what to drive, what to eat, and on and on. They are hypocrites of the highest order. For example, they tell us not to smoke. But they smoke. They create a health care system for us (the little people) that they exempt themselves from. How good can a program be that they won't adopt for themselves? But then, they believe that they are better than you and me. They make promises that they don't even try to keep. None of this is new.

These smarter-than-you-and-I leaders seek to decree using their own perfect knowledge the next technology breakthrough that will change our world, power our cars, light our homes, and elevate our lives. They want to force this on us. They ask you and I to believe that they know what's best for all of us. However well-intentioned, this arrogance is as breathtaking as it is flawed. None of this is new. History's great breakthroughs have never been the product of kingly edicts. They are the product of free people pursuing their own greatness. This is why America has produced so many of mankind's breakthroughs in just a little over 200 years. Freedom to dream, think, to create, to profit, to lose, and to try again and again.

These would-be rulers tell us of a Utopia that they can create where all is fair and equal. Of course, they determine what's fair and they decide who will be equal. In their system, none will be poor and none - save them and their minions - will be rich, because they judge inequity to not be fair. In this promise, they suggest that they are God. They make this promise even though life is not fair and equal. They make this promise even though individuals bring different talents, skills, desire, knowledge and effort to this thing called life. They make this promise even though history shows that man-made Utopias always end in despair for the very people who got suckered by the promise. This is not new.

Independence Day has been celebrated since 4 July 1776 when the United States formerly declared itself independent from the Kingdom of Great Britain. The more common name for this American federal holiday is known as the Fourth of July.

Since some of you will take time out to celebrate Independence Day with family and friends, I'd like to propose that all of us take time to reflect on what has occurred during the previous twelve months and what each of us would like to have happen over the coming twelve months.

Looking forward to private success is an exciting sentiment, I know this from personal experience therefore for that reason every day I take the time and put in the effort to have the best chance to make my dreams come true.

Independence Day can be a rather special occurrence for those of you who want to make a huge difference in your life. Take for example the following quote from the Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Over the years I've encouraged all my coaching clients to choose their own 'Independence Day' and work towards it diligently, consistently and seriously. Goals can be varied yet focused. Usually the general intention tends to be a mix of health, wealth and relationship goals. Whatever your personal independence day goals may be the following exercise will help you to define, refine and begin your journey to celebrating your own 'Independence Day'.