Author: Allan Gregoire

Hundreds of years ago, our founding fathers declared their independence from the tyranny of a government they no longer would tolerate. It required a lot of determination, sweat, and, of course, blood. But, in the end, their aim of independence was achieved and they were now free to create the lives they wanted without the heavy chains of tyranny around their necks.

Today, millions of people find themselves bound in chains of various types. The chains could be that of a tyrannical government, an unreasonable and demanding employer, mountains of debt and expense, or relationships that are extremely toxic or require too much energy to maintain. The good news is that it won’t require the shedding of blood to set yourself free, but you will have to make some hard and uncomfortable choices.

Lately we’ve seen a lot of uprisings in Middle Eastern and African countries against the incumbent governments. This is a direct result of the people of these countries emphatically stating that they will no longer tolerate the tyranny being imposed upon them. Finally, people are waking up and finding the courage to claim their personal freedom. As Edmund Burke once said, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” Voices are being heard and personal freedom and independence are being vigorously pursued. Now that’s a cause for celebration!

Similarly, people find themselves in intolerable situations in the workplace. Abusive employers continue to treat their employees as throw away products and loyalty works only one way. But, again it is courageous people who turn the tides and sway the balance of power in a quest to even the playing field. Then there are those who come to the realization that their loyalty over the years to their employer means nothing and they find themselves “thrown away”. Disenchantment breeds introspection that there must be a better way. As a result, an entrepreneur is born and the hands of destiny then become self-guided. Freedom and independence emerge victorious once again!

It’s been said that debt will make you a slave to your creditor. As a result, your options become severely limited and freedom and independence seem like nothing more than a dream postponed either temporarily or indefinitely. In a quest to have everything now, we willingly give up our freedom and independence for instant gratification. We soon realize that the price (slavery) is too high. The prudent thing to do to preserve your freedom and independence and thus, your options, is to live within your means, pay with cash whenever possible, and learn to delay gratification. In this way, you preserve your options and possess more power in terms of the choices you have in life. Say goodbye to your slave masters by reducing or eliminating debt and experience the serenity of freedom and independence.

And lastly, some of the heaviest chains we carry are those of the interpersonal relationships we’ve formed. Whether you are in a romantic relationship that has soured, have acquaintances that are high maintenance and emotionally draining, or have people in your life who refuse to abide by boundaries or accepted decorum, there is a solution. Declare your freedom and independence by severing your ties with these people. There is no need to feel bad about it. You deserve to have a fulfilling life and, if people in your circle are detracting from that, then remove the impediment to your personal enjoyment. It’s that simple. If you prefer to suffer in silence saddled with guilt over having removed an obstacle to happiness that’s your choice.

Just remember that most of the chains of life are of our own making. You can choose now to claim your freedom and independence by breaking those chains. Have the courage to claim the life you want. The choice is always yours. I choose to eliminate drag, travel light, and create the conditions for my life to take flight.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/stress-management-articles/declaring-your-own-independence-day-breaking-the-chains-4999018.html

About the Author

The author, Allan Gregoire, has worked in the legal profession, financial services, and the resort industry and is an avid student of human achievement. Mr. Gregoire writes content for his own website www.actionmaxims.com