What does Independence Day mean to you? Here's what it means to me....

A few years ago, I was in Philadelphia. I was there to attend a conference held at Drexel University....

I had trouble finding a hotel room for my first night -- every place I called (within my budget) was booked out! Finally, I found a room.... It was in a quaint bed and breakfast, built a couple hundred years ago. I thought, just the introduction to the city where a sense of great history runs in its streets!

Although I only stayed in that B&B for one night (before moving to a place closer to the conference location), it remains in my mind.... I remember what a great feeling, staying in a place like that with the feel of history about it. I imagined who must have stayed there two hundred years ago, and what their lives must have been like. And, another thing I remember is how I had to stoop to make it through the low doorways! (And I'm only about the average male height....)

In all, I stayed two weeks in Philadelphia. In that time, I grew to love it! ESPECIALLY the very historic area, around the Liberty Bell.... The cobblestone pathways, and the historical brick houses which still stand. It's certainly one of my favorite city areas in the United States....

To me, July 4th is about celebrating freedom. The Declaration of Independence was about obtaining freedom. Freedom from British rule and heavy British taxes (I was in Boston just over a year ago, site of the famous Boston Tea Party). Freedom to live the kind of life you want to live. Freedom, for all who rise and accept the challenge.

Because freedom often comes with a price. For me, Philadelphia is a city associated with freedom from slavery for countless individuals. Yet, for many, this freedom wasn't handed to them. They had to run for it, they had to make a dangerous journey to find that freedom.

With every freedom comes challenges, and the victories of freedom come to those who are willing to take on those challenges!

And.... it's no surprise. The same holds true in business.

This trip to Philadelphia I've been referring to happened in 1995. I was back there again in 1998 (but for a shorter period). I can't wait to get back some day and eat another hoagie (that's Philadelphian for a sub sandwich), and make another trip to visit the Liberty Bell....

So, I hope you're having a happy Independence Day! Freedom -- of any kind -- is always worth fighting for.... :)

- Dien Rice

I just got through reading a 4th of July newsletter from Gary North recounting the history of the early days of the USA. It seems the early patriots went to war with England over a tax rate of 1%-2%.

I think it was more a thing of principle...of sovereignty...of the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Yes, things get crazy sometimes here in the U.S. of A., but IMHO, by the grace of God, we still have the greatest country on earth.

JDB


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Hi There JDB, Dien and All!

Always grand to see you!

Dien, my family has its North American roots in Philadelphia. We were there back in the 17th Century, amazingly enough. Perhaps you walked along the same cobblestones as my Great Great Great Great Great Grandparents!

JDB spoke these words:

> I think it was more a thing of
> principle...of sovereignty...of the right to
> life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

***and we still, individually and collectively have the privilege of pursuring wholeheartedly these same principles. Self rule, freedom, joy, abundant living. May we embrace these opportunities and continue to live them for ourselves and our next generations, whether we are in the US or Australia or any place on Earth.

Thanks again for your thoughts....

With Purpose and Passion,

JULIE JORDAN SCOTT
PS-Hearing my children sing "The Star Spangled Banner" brings tears to my eyes...and Emma, at almost 4, feels the need to say the flag salute each time she sees a flying flag...especially popular recently because of the holiday! (Bakersfield is a very patriotic town, lots of homes sporting flags this week!)


Dare to Discover Your Passion, Decide to Live Your Destiny!

Hi Julie!

> Dien, my family has its North American roots
> in Philadelphia. We were there back in the
> 17th Century, amazingly enough. Perhaps you
> walked along the same cobblestones as my
> Great Great Great Great Great Grandparents!

Julie, I think it's likely that I did.... I walked around quite a bit of Philly! :)

I didn't speak of it in my post, but one of my heroes has a strong association with Philadelphia -- Benjamin Franklin. Businessperson, publisher, author, scientist, inventor, and statesman!

I think my view of Benjamin Franklin is like how you view Leonardo da Vinci, Julie -- they were both geniuses of their time! And they show that you don't have to put limits upon yourself.... Why artificially box yourself into a single category for your whole life?

Benjamin Franklin was truly one of the greatest people in history.... While I may not always agree with everything he wrote, I nevetheless have great admiration for him. And many of his principles of success are still true today!

"To be thrown upon one's own resources, is to be cast into the very lap of fortune; for our faculties then undergo a development and display an energy of which they were previously unsusceptible." -- Benjamin Franklin.

I'm sure that most of us who have taken the leap, so we are "thrown upon" our "own resources" have found this to be true.... You discover that there is more talent within you than you may have realized.... :)

- Dien Rice

Hi Dien!

Any fan of Franklin is a friend of mine...though he is NOT Leonardo, he is right up there!

In fact, today at breakfast we were discussing Mr. Franklin.

(I know, the world is amazing that you were in Australia thinking about Ben, and my girls and I were munching on Breakfast foods how many thousands of miles away?)

Our conversation centered around the application of knowledge in regards to business and success. Recently I learned about Samuel Morse, the creator of Morse Code. Mr. Morse was predominantly a painter who was fascinated by how to use electricity. He envisioned an electric pulse somehow providing the power through which knowledge would run. He had the IDEA, Franklin had provided the TOOL and he then created with the help of a TEAM the medium to apply his idea to the tool--thus being a huge part of the beginning of telecommunications as we know it today.

My girls and I talked about how Mr. Morse was NOT an engineer...and instead of saying, "I can't do it" he said "how can I?" and partnered with an engineer who COULD implement his idea more fluidly. It is through the telegraph machine that came from this collaboration that Morse Code was first used.

Thats how Mr. Franklin came into the conversation! He was a remarkable man. I don't know if any of you have seen the movie "1776". I really like how the actor portrayed him in this movie.

> "To be thrown upon one's own
> resources, is to be cast into the very lap
> of fortune; for our faculties then undergo a
> development and display an energy of which
> they were previously unsusceptible."
> -- Benjamin Franklin.

***Just had to include that quote again!

With Purpose and Passion,

JULIE JORDAN SCOTT


Dare to Discover Your Passion, Decide to Live Your Destiny!