If you’re in the United States, today is Independence Day. While we are all celebrating our nation’s independence with parades, fireworks and lots of red, white and blue, I’d like to pause for a quick moment to think about personal independence.

This is a small blog. Tiny, compared to many. Yet it’s a platform where I am free to share my thoughts, ideas and explore topics that I am passionate about. You’re free to come along for the ride…to comment and weigh in with your own thoughts, questions, points and counterpoints. And I am thankful for each of you who choose to read, participate and share!

We live in a land where we are free to not only HAVE our own thoughts, but we can be so bold as to act upon them and elicit change in our lives, careers and within the organizations we support.

What a gift that is.

Today, as you kick off a long holiday weekend with friends, family and fireworks, please take a moment to reflect on those “certain unalienable rights” – how are you using those rights to make a difference?

Have a safe and happy 4th of July weekend!