Independence is the freedom to make choices on our own behalf. There is a lot of fighting and resisting in this country lately. Sometimes, as history has shown, we need to fight against and resist what is dangerous. But there also comes a time when all the talk and images and sound bytes become part of the problem, feeding negative energy with even more. There comes a time when our fighting and resistance is more about pushing away than creating and embracing that which we want to see, want to experience, wish for others. Challenge: Liberate yourself from that which causes you harm. It may be toxic people, unhealthy activities, negative thoughts, painful memories. Yes, it is important to face the discomfort and repeating patterns in your life but it's not a cycle you want to maintain or you will miss out on all the goodness of your present and the opportunities ahead. Break free of a negative pattern but be sure to actively replace it with something wonderful that speaks to your soul and lifts your spirit. When you do, your example may be just the thing to inspire someone else. =)
Image note: Snoopy is a Peanuts character and a creation of Charles Schultz (1922-2000). This is one of my favorites — Snoopy doing his happy dance.