I was on a call with a coaching client last week. At the end of the call, I wished her a happy 4^th and asked how she was planning to celebrate.

And she said, “Well, I do not think I am going to celebrate this year. I do not feel like I have freedom.”

I really felt that. Deep in my soul.

I have been recruiting and coaching for decades. One of the questions I ask is what people looking for in a new role.

Invariably I get responses like:

• I want to be able to leave work to go to my kid’s sporting event.
• I want a flexible schedule.
• I want to be able to use my voice and be included.
• I want to work in a culture where I am treated as an adult-I am trusted to get my work done without being micro-managed.
• I want to be able to offer my ideas and have them vetted for viability versus being given the nod then ignored.

I truly believe that we are born with the innate gene that drives us to want to have the freedom to have agency over our own lives and choices.

I have talked about psychological reactance before. That knee-jerk response we have that sounds like “don’t tell me what to do” when a parent, teacher, spouse, boss, or friend tries to make our choices for us.

We want independence.

We crave freedom.

We desire choice.

So this July 4^th I ask you to ponder what independence means to you and how you plan to celebrate it.

Perhaps you will celebrate by Registering to Vote or helping someone else to do so.

Maybe it is to plan your trip to the March of Rage in Houston this August.

Maybe you will celebrate by having a real discussion with the women in your life about their right to choose and what that means. This might include a donation to Planned Parenthood or find a local group working to help women on the ground in your area, National Network of Abortion Funds has a list.

Maybe you will take steps to free yourself from a job that causes you regular psychological reaction and will finally sign up for True Nature Coaching.

Whatever you decide and however you feel this 4^th of July I respect your choice.

Real freedom is trusting and honoring that each of us knows what is best for us.

May the fourth of freedom be with you!