Learning.

Independence. Independence. This word I, we humans have heard all our lives and grown up with. Independence. My mother told me: "One day, you will learn to be independent". Teachers told me: "One day, you will have to be independent." As a child, that word, that concept seemed so faraway, imaginary. Why need independence when you have other people? Isn't independence learning to live alone? I always thought that as long as I surrounded myself with people, I wouldn't have to face this expectation and strength that was required of me. After all, we humans live in communities and need each other. So why, and how does independence exist? As a teenager, I felt attacked as everyone around me starting telling me to be independent, to be an adult, to be a grown-up. They told me to learn to do things alone. And I thought to myself: "Why is independence only something adults can achieve, can acquire?". 

In my own pursuit to discover what independence truly was, I became independent myself. Fighting my own battles, discovering the world, having fun and learning to be and love myself. After all, independence can be achieved by anyone. It means being comfortable with yourself, comfortable with the world that grows and evolves around you. Independence isn't only surviving on your own and learning to live as a unique individual that can stand out from a crowd, but it is also helping others and those around you by making the world a better place. Independence isn't a solitary concept. It affects everyone and is something that unites us. It represents freedom and joy. Joy of life, joy of love, joy of friendship, joy of everything we come to adore. 

This independence makes us special and talented. We strive to reach this independence and we become stronger. Independence is making your own decisions. In my case, independence has taught me to love everyone despite our differences. It has taught me to love this human race despite its flaws. We are a rich species, not through our material wealth, but through this independence that constructs this uniqueness, this infinite rainbow of individuals who can all bring something new to this world. This world is so special and we strive to make it a better place by learning. Independence is so many things. Learning. Loving. Creating. Constructing. Strength. Humanity. Us.