Independence isn’t just a historical event we celebrate each year; it’s a day each American cherishes as the moment we finally gained freedom from British rule. A day we rose as free men and made our own rules… rules that have stood for centuries. I personally feel a sense of pride on this day, and every Fourth of July for that matter.
This year, I want to use this day as a moment of personal renewal. A chance to mark a new beginning that will guide me toward my rightful path. Whatever that path may fully be, I have a good idea of where it starts. I want to choose with desire and faith, not half-measures or fear, and live in a way that feels true.
For a while, I’ve felt myself heading in a different direction than I was before. It’s almost as if my body and spirit have been waiting for this moment, for the permission to finally choose a path that feels aligned. I’ve tried other ways, tried living by the expectations of others or out of habit, and it left me disconnected. This time, I want to do it differently. I want to be intentional, to live with clarity and conviction, to take full responsibility for the course I set.
Independence Day can be more than fireworks and gatherings; it can be a reminder that each of us has the right to claim our own freedom every single day. Freedom to think for ourselves. Freedom to make decisions that align with who we are becoming. Freedom to live a life that feels meaningful.
If you’ve been feeling the pull for change, consider using today as your own marker for renewal. Reflect on the path you’re on and where you truly want to go. You don’t have to have it all figured out, but you do need to take that first step with courage.
Today, I’m choosing to step forward, to honor my own independence, and to trust the process ahead. May this Fourth of July be more than a celebration of past freedoms… may it be the start of claiming your own.
What does independence mean to you? And how might you use today to take one step closer to the life you truly want?
Ethan Townzen 
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