In the United States where I live, we celebrate Independence on July 4th. The Internet has given millions of people global access to information and it is great to see all the countries that have their own celebration of Independence! With international information and knowledge so attainable, people are more able to make empowered decisions and form their own beliefs.

Not to say all the information on the Internet is accurate, but pictures can say a thousand words.

In this newsletter I want to appreciate healthy Independence globally, but the main focus will be internal independence. As above, so below and as within, so without.

I sat with a client last week and she was talking about a group she had met and spent time with over the weekend. The subject of our conversation turned to “fitting in.” At times it is important to fit in and other times it seems in order to fit in you have to give up parts of yourself.

You may have some things in common with a group (marketing, gardening, singing, golfing) but have very different views on other things (politics, religion, parenting). In order to fit into the group, do you act like you agree with what is being said so that you don’t stand out or do you speak up and share your perception, your belief, your truth?  When you don’t share your beliefs do you feel left out, suppressed, and disconnected? When you do speak up do you rejected and unaccepted?

Here are a few questions to answer to look at your level of internal independence. You may want to use your journal.

 When you are in a group or even a conversation and you have a different view from others; do you lose your authenticity by sharing a belief that is aligned with the group, but not really your own?

When you don’t share your point of view, do you eventually give up your own voice?

Who is it in your life that you are not able to communicate with honestly?

What beliefs and thoughts do you have that you rarely share with others; individually or in a group?

When I was in a workshop with Caroline Myss, a medical intuitive and the author of Energy Anatomy, she shared when we belong to a group (first chakra) we grow as slowly as that group (tribe) grows.

Think about the groups you align with and whether or not they hold you back or move you forward.

Authors and books can act as a group as well. I remember when I read Eckart Tolle’s The New Earth. In just reading the book, I felt I was able to release ego and gain some Independence.

Over this Independence Day, take some time to think about, journal or share with friends about your own Inner Independence.  Feel free to comment on my facebook page about this topic!