What does independence mean to you?

My mon used to say that the true independence only happens when you're financially sustainable. Perhaps because she came from a family where resources where very scarce.

Being a single child of a single mom I was raised under this concept and for quite some time this was my North Star: be independent under my mom's eyes! However, as the time went by and I started going through my own experiences I realized that to me independence was much more!

In my own world independence still has it's financial weight as we live under the capitalist but it is also is also the ability to reinvent yourself to constantly become a better self, where other's opinion matters as and when it challenges you to become a better human being

Independence then happens every time you're able to get rid of a bad thought or a prejudice, when you allow yourself to lean something new, specially things that take you out of your comfort zone, and more importantly when you can be your true self no matter when or what.

In this Fourth of July my thoughts are in how I can contribute to build a better future for me, my family and all the people that I have the chance to directly or indirectly influence. I'm grateful for this land (the US) where I was re-born (I am Brazilian) and I learn every day how to be more independent as this is my view is the first step to create a superb world.

May the "fourth" be with you all!