Happy In(ter)dependence Day!

When we are young, we function from dependence. We need adults to take care of us and we must rely on them.

As we grow into our teens, we experience independence. We’re able to do more and more for ourselves. We learn to make our own meals, pick out our own clothing, and invest in our own interests.

We develop our identities as an individuals and live them out in the world.

Unfortunately, individuals (and countries) get stuck and unable to move past the stage of independence. Thoughts and actions become centered around the independent self, disregarding others.

Interdependence is the next developmental stage that we should strive toward.

Interdependence recognizes that we are emotionally, financially, ecologically and morally “interdependent,” that we are mutually and physically responsible to each other.

In business this can be seen in working to create “win-win” situations.

In personal life this can be seen in fulfilling relationships with family and friends and in making the world a better place for all.

Enjoy celebrating our Independence Day.

And create and celebrate your Interdependence Day as well.

Here are some wise people to learn from:

“Independent thinking alone is not suited to interdependent reality. Independent people who do not have the maturity to think and act interdependently may be good individual producers, but they won’t be good leaders or team players. They’re not coming from the paradigm of interdependence necessary to succeed in marriage, family, or organizational reality.” – Stephen Covey

“Interdependence is and ought to be as much the ideal of man as self-sufficiency. Man is a social being. Without interrelation with society he cannot realize his oneness with the universe or suppress his egotism. His social interdependence enables him to test his faith and to prove himself on the touchstone of reality.” –Mahatma Gandhi

“…for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.” – John Muir

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