This idea of "independence" has always been an obsession for me. My early education in Zionism celebrates above all the idea of independence. It was a constant theme in the reggae music I was enamored with in high school (and still am). It was palpable in my travels to post colonial Sub-saharan Africa, India, the U.S. and of course, Palestine, where independence from is not a relic of history, but a daily struggle.
As a freelance journalist, I have long sought independence in my work. It is a theme of many of the stories I pursued. Yet, I realized that the feeling of it is elusive. You go out on your own to travel, to freelance, to start a company, to start a nation, only to realize how dependent you are on others.
Like everlasting happiness, everlasting independence is a myth. Yet, it is still something to strive for, to dream of, and to try to achieve.
To recognize dependency is equally important. To give support to those who need you promotes feelings of true happiness and satisfaction.
Eventually, travelers need companions. Individuals need families. Freelancers need media companies. Entrepreneurs need teams. Companies need partners. Nations need allies.
These relationships lose their purpose when they become oppressive.
When entities work together as a team, magic can happen.
The truth is nobody who has achieved anything great has done it alone.
Still, the concept of independence, and the basic human desire to achieve it, is a beautiful thing.