Happy Independence Day!

What kind of courage do you have? And what a bittersweet feeling to celebrate Independence Day in the midst of all of this upheaval. To celebrate our freedom within all of this unknown that is as deafening and distracting as the hoopla of fireworks. To celebrate our triumphs and to discern which societal changes lag behind since colonial times. To be grateful for our country’s gifts and chastise it for its misgivings. To understand that we are all interconnected and to take a look into ourselves – how individual and small changes can create a great impact. To take risks and have the courage to live life to its fullest. To look at our mistakes as life lessons, not life sentences.

Courage is Subjective

It doesn’t have to be something outlandish like walking on a tightrope across Niagara Falls or giving a TED talk. I think it begins with owning who you are-  the light and the shadow. It’s to live life as your best self and keep showing up to keep trying to not fall back in old unhealthy patterns. When you do fall back (we all do occasionally), recognize that you have the power, freedom, and the ability to choose how to move on.

Courage is to ask for help and take it. And to seek for what you truly want because you are worthy of it because it’s your birthright because you deserve to have a fulfilling life. How often do we forget this as parents?! Yes, we are the main role models for our kids, but we owe it to ourselves first and foremost to live our lives free of the constraints of perfection and taxing demands that subjugate us. An added bonus? Your kids will thank you now and later for it.  Courage is to step up and out of the doldrums of complacency because you rather change, even if you’re scared shitless. Courage is to know that life can be different and better than you ever imagined. Change needs effort. It needs imagination, forgoing old habits with people and things.

What an incredible moment we are living. Let’s celebrate. But, with 2020 vision. We have been asked to stretch our imagination these days that we need the support and objectivity from others to help us get by.