The Fourth of July means many different things to people – fireworks, baseball, camping, picnics, the lake, and so on. Something that often gets lost in the moment is the fact that we are celebrating our nation’s independence and the freedoms we enjoy by living within its borders.
With that thought in mind, I encourage all of you to celebrate your own independence and freedom this year. Independence from what, you may ask. Well, independence from the things that may keep you from reaching your goals, your dreams, or your ability to reach and enjoy your best life.
We all experience a lack of independence and freedom on some level each day, week, month, and year. Are you tied to your desk and your job? Do you feel that the number of pills you take each day grows by the week? Are you a tea kettle waiting for one more bubble of stress to start your top whistling? Is your body morphing into something unrecognizable every time you look into the mirror? Does your home or office need a refresher or a new coat of happiness? Aches and pains getting the best of you and your enjoyable activity time? Do you just feel like you are not independent or free to live, to grow and prosper, or to simply feel in control of yourself?
There is good news. These things CAN happen for you! Borrowing from our Founding Fathers, you must remember that there is a process to it all, it does require a level of work, and it will not happen by itself.
Every action begins with a thought. Think about what you would like to have, what you wish to happen, what should be different for you to be pleased, and hold on to that thought. Those thoughts have power. Those thoughts have importance. Those thoughts carry weight. Our thoughts and ideas will always be one of our greatest freedoms, so celebrate your independence and have them, embrace them, and use them.
Take those thoughts, write them down somewhere and make them real – you can see them, reflect upon them, and remember them. They exist. Once something is real it becomes more difficult to destroy, forget, or ignore. Oh, by the way, after you make a thought real, you have just set a goal. Simple, isn’t it?
In the words of Yogi Berra, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll wind up someplace else.”
Think about where you want to be. Think about what you want to have. Think about what makes you happy. Have thoughts, have desires, and have dreams. Ancient words of wisdom say that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Thinking about your desires, dreams, and goals IS that first step. They can become real and they can happen. They happen through the choices you make and the steps you take to declare your independence from what you perceive as obstacles, obstructions, or all that can impair your success.
So, take control, declare your independence, and take that first step and next time we can take the next steps together to start pushing those thoughts into action and ultimately, your success and freedom.
Have Questions?
CCMH's Wellness Department works to reduce health risks and promote overall wellness among employee groups and individuals across the northeastern Wyoming region. To learn more about Wellness, please visit
ccmh.net/Wellness or call 307.688.8051.
This blog was written by Troy Stevens, CCMH Wellness Specialist