Independence

Our independence is gained in such small increments that sometimes we don't appreciate what we have until we lose it.

From the moment we are born, we start to learn. Every milestone is one small step we take towards our independence.

Muscle control soon allows us to grasp what we want to hold onto, feed ourselves and begin to move about independently.

Communication is another tool that leads to our independence. As a baby learns to communicate their needs, they soon find ways to get what they need and want out of life. As babies grow to toddlers; toddlers to teens; teens into adults ... our ability to speak, write, listen, text, email (and the list goes on) opens many doors.

Independence is a gradual process. From crawling; to walking; to riding a trike/bike; learning to take a bus; and eventually driving ... we become less dependent on those around us to get us where we need to go.

Independence is an incredible freedom that we spend our lives working to attain.

As relationships form there is a yin and a yang of who does what to get a person where they need and want to go in life. When relationships dissolve, there comes a need to find one's independence once again. It is harder to regain that independence once you've learned to rely on someone else. But it isn't impossible.

Everyone is different as to how independent they need or want to be. It is a liberating feeling to know that you have the ability to live where you want to live, choose how to get where you want to go and make your own decisions.

Letting go of some of the material possessions that we amass as we acquire our independence can be freeing. To sell a house and move into a condo means that someone else is responsible for the yard work and snow removal. You may downsize and have less square footage to maintain and clean.

While some may equate downsizing their housing to a concession made due to their health ... others may have been waiting for this day so they were no longer a slave to the time, expense and ongoing maintenance a house demands. Not to mention the freedom condo living allows since you can pack your bags and take a summer &/or winter vacation and let someone else take care of things in your absence.

Driving and car ownership is one more aspect that we must sometimes weigh when it comes to living an independent life. Even if a person doesn't do a lot of driving, there is great peace of mind knowing that your car is there if you need it.

If you live in an urban centre, you can modify your lifestyle to accommodate living without a vehicle. Walking is often an option; as are buses and taxi cabs. You can still feel independent as long as you have choices.

Then there are the advantages. No vehicle maintenance. No more starting up a cold vehicle in the winter. Someone else gets to deal with the traffic and road conditions.

Yes, giving up a drivers license is a concession that we may have to make sooner or later. Some may do what it takes to keep that license. Others may decide that they can make do without. It is all about the ability to decide what is best for you.

We spend our lives striving to be independent. As we go through the ages and stages of life, there is great satisfaction in becoming self-sufficient. Then as time goes on, it is a blessing when we have the ability to pick and choose a lifestyle that works best for you.

When we are in a place where we are 'in the driver's seat' in our own lives ... we are still flexing our independence. It's all about choice.