I pay no attention whatever to anybody’s praise or blame. I simply follow my own feelings. – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Being able to cook is a form of independence.
What does that mean?
He’s marching to the beat of his own drummer. He’s doing what seems appropriate to him at the time. He doesn’t change to try to please others, he doesn’t change to curry favor. He is independent. How about the rest of us? How far do we push to keep our vision, or do we fold at the first push?
As this is about one of the more famous composers of all time, the quote is almost certainly about the writing of music. However, it probably also applied to the rest of his life, and can be applied to our lives as well. Note that this doesn’t free us from our obligations, but in my opinion, is part of our creative side.
Why is independence important?
We all have a level of independence and a level of entanglement. We have people we answer to, be it a boss or family or friends or whom ever. There are times when we have obligations to meet. There will need to be balance, but there is usually some room for independence and creativity.
Without independence, we have dependence, right? Whether that’s because someone else has control of us or because we are unwilling to take that step, we are not free. Again, there are times when that is appropriate, but I believe we should try to be as independent as possible.
There are many aspects of life and each has different level of independence. Each skill, ability, and every relationship has it’s own level. What is right for you will be different from anyone else. Have you given it much thought?
Where can I apply this in my life?
There are some guys I know who couldn’t cook themselves a meal if their life depended on it. I don’t cook often, but I want to be able to anyway. Same for being to fix a minor split seam, or dropped cuff on a pair of pants. I can sew both by hand and with a machine, but haven’t done so in probably two decades. Why did I learn to do that? So that I could be independent if need be, and fix it myself.
Other things I can’t do and don’t really want to do. I am willing to be dependant for getting those things done. How about you, what things are you most proud of being able to do? What things have you given thought to and chosen to not be able to do? And what things have you never really thought about, that you can’t do?
Independence is about more than just skills. How independent are you when it comes to your finances? How about your ability to travel? Some people do the hobo travel thing, and have very little money and lots of independence on that front, and travel a lot as well. Most of us have things that hold us in one place, usually family or a job.
Some people have a job that requires a lot of travel, and pays fairly well, but if they have a family, they might not consider themselves very independent, right? Again, it comes back to balance, and your personal needs and values.
What do you value most about your independence? Is it a skill, an ability, a freedom or a level of creativity? Grab some paper and write down a couple you truly value, that would impact your quality of life if they went away or were interfered with?
Now take a moment and consider how you life might change if you became more independent at some of the things at which you aren’t presently independent. Can you come up with a thing or two you wish to add to your list? Perhaps a skill like cooking, an ability like dancing, or whatever you might desire.
All that is left is to choose one of the new forms of independence you have selected and come up with a plan to get it done. Then be sure to take the first step, no matter how small it may seem. You’re convincing yourself that you really mean it, you’re getting something done.
From: Twitter, @TheQuoteToday
confirmed at : http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/wolfgangam178023.html
Photo by benklocek
