“Liberties aren’t given, they are taken.”
– Aldous Huxley
Every 4th of July I sit down for a few minutes and think about my life story – about what is important to me and how I’ve lived.
I do it on this day because I think my life is and always has been about freedom.
It’s about being bold, taking chances, going for what I think is good and right and “getting shit done.”
There has never been a point in my life where I wanted someone else to be in charge of me.
Yes, I’ve been tired, I’ve been worn out with problems and difficulties. There have even been times I’ve given up on something that was important to me.
But there are things that my desire and fight for freedom have brought me over the years and for these things I am deeply grateful.
It has made me successful in my business.
It has allowed me to have a business that is designed and works the way “I” want it to work.
It has allowed me to work at home and set hours that I choose.
It has allowed me to be with my children and watch them grow up – to be at home when they got home, to go on vacations with them and provide for them opportunities that I wish I had been given.
It forced me to grow up and learn to be a man and take responsibility for my life and improve the lives of those I love who have needed me.
It works on me every day and I believe it will continue to work on me until I die or until I stop wanting that freedom (which, for me, is the same thing).
Demanding a life of freedom is the most important thing in my life.
The second most important thing is having a life of connection.
I believe these two things must always be in balance if I want to have a good life.
The balance between Freedom (Autonomy) and Connection (Love).
Today, this 4th of July, for me, is about that freedom.
I’m also going to BBQ some chicken.
Have a great holiday.
Joe
