Are you celebrating July 4th?

Independence Day (colloquially the Fourth of July or July 4) is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States, on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer subject (and subordinate) to the monarch of Britain, King George III, and were now united, free, and independent states. The Congress had voted to declare independence two days earlier, on July 2, but it was not declared until July 4.

Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches, and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States.

Over a decade ago I was retrieving my phone from outside and calling 911 when the thought came to me. “This is independence day.”

Independent is not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, conduct, etc.; thinking or acting for oneself.

This is what the colonies wanted to rid itself from the crown. It was too expensive to control the revolutionaries so the King withdrew leaving what would become America to fend for themselves. A few white aristocrats declared freedom for all (with restrictions) and off we went.

For the most part, we’ve done pretty good. We spread out across the land building railways and highways and cities and in the quest of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (though we had to walk over other along the way).

Still this country we now call the United States of America has never been invaded so all our dilemmas have been created by ourselves.

Getting back to being independent, without the authoritarian oppression to rule our every move, we are free to travel, work for pay, sleep on the couch and make babies. There are restrictions and laws they tell us not to walk into walls or fart in elevators, but for the most part, we are free.

But being independent is another phase of life. Some have been independent from birth, being orphaned and shifted about from place to place to people with no connection. Others are born into families dependent on food, clothing and shelter to be provided for certain restraints like going to the potty and not having girls in your room.

Most of us are communal creatures and seek companionship. Dating or marriage or whatever requires compromise with another. It may (or not) be total dominance, but it is not independence.

Living on your own is like living in the woods. If you accomplish a goal there is no one to share it with and if there is a failure there is no one else to blame.

In the end, we make our own decisions and must abide the consequences.