Happy 4th of July. Here in Colorado, after tragic wildfires have rocked the state, we’re having a fireworks-free 4th of July. Wherever you are, I hope your holiday is fun and safe.
Earlier in the week, in preparation for Independence Day, I posted a few tweets about freedom. Then, I got to thinking, “what does freedom mean to me?”
Here are 4 benefits that came to mind for me. . .
Freedom means I can:
1. Have my own business. I went to grad school for my Masters in Speech Pathology. Yet, after a few years in the field feeling dissatisfied, I changed careers. I changed a few times and when the day came (in 1989) to go out of my own, it was scary, but I had the freedom to do so.
2. Work the hours I choose. If I want to work 9 to 5, I can. If I want to take more than an hour lunch break (or even more than one break), it’s my decision to do so. More often than not, I tend to work longer hours as the owner of my own business than I did as an employee.
3. Make my own decisions. While I am accountable to my clients, I don’t have a boss looking over my shoulder telling me what to do or how to do it.
4. Travel when I want. These days, I don’t travel nearly as much as I used to. However, when my father was ill and I needed to be with him, as the owner of my own business, I had the flexibility to pick up and go to his side.
When I want to take time off, I can do so without going to my boss to ask for permission. Well, actually my “boss” (i.e. me) is probably a bit harder on myself than any other boss I had when I was employed.
I’m proud to be an American and grateful for the freedoms we enjoy. How about you? On this 4th of July, what does freedom mean to you? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. I’d love to hear from you.
