As you prepare to celebrate the 4th of July, remind yourself of the declaration made for independence and what it means to your current day life. The Independence afforded us in undeniable rights allows us to choose many of the things that bring us happiness on a day to day basis. You and I have a wonderful opportunity to purchase food free of toxins and pesticides yet many of us still blindly accept foods laden with ammonia and hormones. Despite evidence that synthetic and non organic clothing has toxic residue from formaldehyde we continue to support companies based on marketing mind controlling strategies. We continue to vote for candidates who do not take a stand on off-shore drilling and then we watch in awe as the beauty of our coast is destroyed and place the blame on others. It is within us all to take small steps towards a better life but we are too brainwashed, conditioned or lazy to take a stand. There is an important lesson for us as we celebrate the 4th of July, that we too, can stand up for our freedoms squandered away by complacency and ignorance. Be brave enough as our forefathers were and examine what is in the food you eat, to find out how the clothes you place on your skin are processed and brave enough to vote outside of the traditional parties when the parties do not share a yogic view to protect our environment. Be brave enough to believe you can make a difference in your life and the life of all living things on earth.