The Sparks Of The Fire

The dictionary defines being independent as 'free from outside control; not subject to another's authority'. 

I'm sure we can all agree that this is in no way what it means on an emotional level, a psychological level. Sure, it could be so on face value, but the more you think about it, the more inadequate this definition is. 

Independence means something else for each person, each spark. And when these sparks acknowledge each other's beliefs and values, that's when we come together; make a fire. The brightest fire you could envision. But this fire doesn't destroy. It illuminates. It lights sparks in others. It brings us together. And it burns, as bright as the sun. It tells stories, weaves them together, makes them part of the fire. It's the most powerful thing one can imagine. It's independence. The ability to say what you think, the ability to be fearless.

The fire of independence is one that never diminishes. It burns, illuminates; stays alive.

Independence is not on the outside. It is formed by our ideals, our dreams, our boundaries. Independence is a boundary we set for ourselves. Something we, and only we, can decide. People who fight for independence don't simply rely on their power as individuals, they rely on the combined power of all those fighting. And all those sparks, they have their boundaries. The ones who succeed break them; add kindling to the fire. The ones who succeeded believe that they were independent, and they were.

The first step to independence is to believe that you are independent. Do that, break your boundaries, and everything else will follow.