Independence is

            What comes to mind when faced with the word independence?  One may think of July 4^th, Independence Day for the United States.  For others, it means reasoning and thinking for oneself without being influenced by other people.  It could also be a city that one is familiar with in Kansas and Missouri or a high school in Arizona.  One may argue it is being financially stable.  Others feel independence is that feeling of pride that one feels about a country.  The word dependent developed sometime from 1375-1425 in England; in the early 1600s, in was added to dependent in order to form the word independence (“Independent”).  So, some believe that independence is simply used as a negation for another word.  Although independence could be all of those concepts and places to some, it has a more complex meaning to most others: it is the stages of life.  It is important to understand independence in the context of life’s stages because it creates a sense of appreciation for the progress one makes in life.

Independence is verbal and nonverbal skills.  The first sign of independence in someone’s life is when a baby acquires motor skills and the ability to communicate.  The baby’s entire world changes.  The baby can now voice or demonstrate his or her emotions, wants, and needs and explore the world around him or her.  This is a major milestone of independence because now the baby can communicate what he or she likes and wants, instead of others deciding for him or her.

Independence is preschool.  Attending school for the first time is another milestone in achieving independence.  For the first time in life, one is thrust into a situation without his or her parents.  The person will develop intellectually and physically by exploring environments and other children independent of his or her parents and siblings.  This is an important stage because children will learn the necessary and basic skills that will be the foundation for the rest of their lives.  Although tying shoes, learning not to hit, and playing with play dough may seem trivial, it is all a part of learning independence. 

            Independence is a driver’s license.  Being able to drive allows the person to travel wherever he or she wishes.  This is the first step that one takes in life where all the responsibility rests on his or her shoulders and there are not others around to aid.  When receiving my driver’s license at the Scottsdale DMV, I was not only handed a card with my picture, name, and age; I was handed freedom, responsibility, and trust.  When driving on my own, I have to get directions, decide how long it takes to get there, when I need to fill up with gas, be a defensive driver, and to always follow the rules of the road.  It can be overwhelming to think about.  However, I felt a great sense of independence with these new opportunities given to me. 

            Independence is college.  Attending college is a major step toward independence.  Many students are living on their own for the first time in their life, possibly a great distance from their home and parents.  Learning to clean up, do laundry, keep track of schoolwork, and get to class on time are important milestones in the journey of independence.  This can be overwhelming and incredibly frightening.  However, students soon come to the realization that they can successfully survive on their own.  Exposure to new ideas, cultures, and experiences will spur growth towards adulthood and total independence. 

            Independence is a job.  Total independence comes from being financially stable.  When one can provide for oneself financially, he or she does not have to rely on others.  With a new job comes a new opportunity to grow and think for oneself.  Choosing a field of interest and attaining a job means making decisions, learning new information and concepts, and forming different relationships.  This seems overwhelming, but it also creates a sense of accomplishment and gratification.  Although one may have a boss, he or she has more control and independence over what to spend his or her days doing.  People also derive a sense of self-esteem, self-worth, and self-realization, which is crucial to their well being. 

            Independence is a house.  Purchasing a house is the final step to total and complete independence.  A house is an enormous investment and the process of acquiring a home can be incredibly scary and intimidating.  However, a house is the crucial last step in the journey of independence.  Within the walls of a home, one is completely free from all others.  He or she feels great privacy, security, and pride in homeownership.  Purchasing a home is the greatest expenditure one will ever make, but it also gives one total independence. 

            In the stages of life discussed so far, independence slowly overcomes dependence; however, life is often referred to as a circle and most people will slowly lose their independence and become more dependent upon others as they age.  It is usually mandatory for many people to retire from their job once they have reached a certain age, thereby losing one source of independence.  Financial problems due to health issues associated with advancing age often requires selling a house and moving in with relatives or to an assisted living center.  Other skills that brought independence in early years—verbal and nonverbal skills, motor skills, and driving a car—all decline, sometimes at alarming rates.  It seems everything that is gained in early life will eventually be lost.

            Although independent is defined in the dictionary as “not influenced by others,” it has a much more complex and deeper meaning (“Independent”).  Independence is gained through the major milestones that one will reach throughout the journey of life.  It is vital for every person to understand these stages of life in the context of independence because it gives one a greater appreciation for each stage that one will experience.  At each milestone, one gains new opportunities for independence and feels gratitude for this growth.  One is also eager and excited for the next step in life in which independence is achieved.  All people need to feel grateful and content in the present because life changes quickly and independence can suddenly be taken away at any time.