Many people in the United States will be celebrating the July 4th Holiday this weekend and our history teaches us that this is the national holiday commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As I thought about the upcoming holiday it occurred to me that independence of almost any kind is not an individual effort. It requires relationships with people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs built on mutual trust, honesty and much more. This week I dedicate the Friday News Minute to interdependence...and all of the great things that we do together.

 

Happy Interdependence Day!

 

For the past two weeks, I have been enjoying Paris and London with my family and friends. The memories of experiencing The Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Chunnel Train Ride and Wimbeldon (to mention just a few) will joyfully live inside of me for the rest of my life. My good friend Ned Parks and his family accompanied us on the trip, and it is because of the interedependent relationships that I have built with Ned, Costa Cruise Lines and Johnson and Wales University that this trip came together. 

 

Look at the areas of career and relationships in you life. Without question, building and maintaining healthy interdependent relationships is critical to your success. Do you want to change a certain part of your life? How much easier would it be to make those changes with the help of others...versus doing most or all of it by yourself?

 

This holiday weekend I challenge you to take a few moments to look at your relationships and to celebrate your interdependence with the people that matter to you the most. I also challenge you to look at each of your relationships and to ask yourself this question: "What can I do to add more value to this relationship?"

 

One final thought: Remember your interdependent relationship with spirit and your faith that guides you on your journey.