I’ve had the great opportunity to travel, live, and work in over 40 countries around the world.

In many, it was a matter of open (read: violent) debate about what country I was actually in. A few had reached a stopping point in their debate. In some cases, that meant some kind of independence was achieved. For others, independence was denied. For still others, it was merely a pause. A time to lick wounds before rejoining the battle.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

• Many people, if not most, yearn to be free.
• Freedom is very messy.
• Freedom is so messy that some people start to wish that things weren’t so free.
• There is always someone willing to grant that wish and tell them what to do.
• Many people, if not most, return to yearning to be free.

Freedom

I’ve learned that freedom comes more from within than without.

I’ve seen men and women living under violent, totalitarian governments who walked and lived with their heads held high. Dignity in their eyes.

I’ve seen men and women living under tolerant, pluralistic governments who were trapped within themselves. Resentment or shame masking their face.

Freedom is less about someone else’s rules and more about the willingness to assume self-responsibility.

The more I expect or demand from others – the less freedom I have. The more responsibility for myself and my situation I accept – the freer I have become.

Opportunity

I’ve learned that opportunity is about perspective.

Yes, if you want to get academic about it, laws around property and land rights matter. More than most appreciate. Economic structures do too.

But many people who’ve been given or offered opportunity either waste it, can’t recognize it, or don’t have the confidence to pursue it.

Others, who came from little and had less, chose to prepare for and seize opportunity. They recognized it, pursued it, treasured it, and stewarded it.

That comes from within.

I’m Grateful

For all of the very real ways the United States should still grow and improve, I’m grateful for what we have. What we experience is unique and rare.

For all of the histrionics and hyperbole that political antagonists engage in: We are a resilient, strong, and great country.

Most immigrants that I meet immediately understand what I’m talking about (I talk to a lot of Lyft and Uber drivers!). There is a reason they left family and familiarity. They wanted and found freedom and opportunity.

I wish more Americans were able to appreciate this.

Reflections on Independence

• What are you grateful for right now?
• How free do you allow yourself to be? What is the most important change you could make to create more freedom?
• What is the greatest opportunity in front of you right now? What is one thing you could do to pursue or retain that opportunity?

Happy Fourth!

Christian

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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝗻 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝘽𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝘁.

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