Happy Independence Day ....

I've been thinking about the concept of independence ever since the 15th August. Mainly as the day has a two fold interest for me. Firstly it's was the day Britain conceded independence to India in 1947. Secondly it was the 25th death anniversary of my grandfather (I see it as his soul gaining its own independence and away from the constraints of human life). Death for me isn't the end. That's another story for another day.

Anyways, the concept of what I perceive as independence is the foundation of my being. In this life I feel I must be free to make my choices and decisions that are determined by what feels right to me. Of course there are some boundaries set by things out of my control, such as elements of society; having to pay taxes, requiring a passport to travel, to paying council tax and generally fulfilling duties of day to day life. Ok, I accept those. However, what I categorically refuse to accept is those limitations put on us by people and old traditions that no longer serve anyone. The limitations that people say "oh but that's our culture" or "but, you have to do it this way!"

As souls we might be influenced to live life in the way we have been shown by our predecessor, but why should we do that especially if there is no resonance in living like that!? You can have respect in many ways, but - in my opinion - not living "your truth" is the ultimate betrayal to your own life and being.

The geek in me went to check on a small element of history, concerning other countries gaining independence from other countries. I learnt some interesting facts, such as Mexico gained it's independence from Spain around 1821. Also when I was in Antigua back in April I found out that it gained independence from the UK quite recently, on 1st November 1981. Now if it interests you go and check out this wikipedia on the long list of countries and their independence dates (countries gaining indepenence from the UK).

Ok, back to my point. I looked at a dictionary definition of the word independence (as related to people) and it says this: " the ability to live your life without being helped or influenced by other people."

Living here in the UK (or in the western world) may feel like you live in an independent society, and on some levels you are, but if you're not living your independent truth - from your soul perspective - what's the point?!!? - you're in a prison of your own self making!

I think for many years we have all been influenced not only by society but also our ancestral influences via families, their expectations and what they think is right and wrong. In my view, the best parent is the one that doesn't mould their child to their way of thinking and desire, but teaches them to work out their own values and desires, and lets the child flourish in to their own version of being human. That's respect. That's kindness. That's love.

I don't know if you have kids or not. Or if you are in you are living in a prison of your own making. What I do know is that your soul will one day seek it's own independence. That is inevitable. So before that day arrives - and I hope it's a long way away - there will come a time when something inside you will say "enough!" Something inside you will knock on your own door. You won't feel happy, or content. Something is missing or doesn't make sense. Trust these feelings. But also question these feelings. It might be something like; you are being pushed to change jobs, reevaluate your career, evaluate where you live, evaluate the relationships in your life, or simply give yourself some self-love and appreciation.

So my question to you is as follows, are you really free and independent to be who you want to be? In every aspect of your life? Do you celebrate your very own Independence Day on a day to day basis?

As I write this to you, I am also posing these questions right back at myself. Today more than ever I hope I am questioning my being day to day. I am making strides every day to fully accept that I have my quirks. My way of living the now, my way of trusting the universe, my way of interacting and experiencing the many types of relationships in my life - where in my view they are not defined as easily as black and white, and finally my way of being human. It may not fit a society label that you can define, and in the grander scheme of things, it doesn't matter.

My main wish for you is to start becoming more free. Live the emotions and not the labels. Live the moment, not the memory. What the past has experienced maybe makes up the now, but it does not know the future. Keep things aligned that make sense to you and learn from what has happened in the past, but don't hold on to what has gone. Let go of the past too. This will simply box you in, and keep you from approaching the edge of the box. Did you ever stop and think that the magic that you are looking for might just be on the other side of the box that you have put yourself in? I definitely feel I am becoming more and more authentic to what my soul really is about. Are you? This journey might take me my entire life but as they say it's about the journey, not the destination.

No longer do I question the flow of my life. All I question is: Does this feel right?! As long as I'm approaching any situation in my life with love, respect and kindness, then I know I am right. I'm not labelling any of my experiences. I don't think I should be doing things (or equally not doing) because of my "age" or because of the expectation of others. No, I do things that give my soul a sense of excitement, purpose and experience. After all we can all be theoretical about life, but it's such a different feeling being immersed in the experience of it.

Can you say you are approaching life where you are being true to yourself, in kindness, respect, love and action?

What is love and kindness to you? Whatever it is might be seen as selfish by others. So what! If it bother's anyone, whether society, family or friends, that's their issue. Not yours.

When you're true to you, it's the biggest representation of living your now. And trust me, most people will actually be in awe of you. Even if they hide it behind a facade of hatred or negative comments. So as you ponder the concept of independence for you, and the actions you need to take, I sincerely hope that I've planted a seed of (positive) thought. And I'll finish by saying something that I will always say, go and live. Now.