Independence

Today let's think about "independence". What does it mean to you? Your family? Your life? Your future?

This is a tough one to get my mind around. I am not sure I want to write about personal independence or political independence.
I think I am going to go with personal. Politically speaking, I feel strongly about the word "freedom" moreso than independent. I don't think that the USA should be completely independent in these days of globalization. We should not be wholly reliant on other countries, whoever, we need to see our country as fitting into the bigger picture of sharing this Earth with other countries.
Well, enough of my political ramblings.
Independence is something that I crave on some levels and ... fear? on others. Perhaps fear is a strong word... discomforting is more apt.
I want to be independent by choice. As in I want to be able to know how to take care of myself, and not need anyone for the basics in life. However, I do not wish to be independent in that way. I crave being past of a bigger community, starting with my immediate family, extended family, friends and neighbors. My mind set is community oriented where I want to be part of a unit that all chips in, helps one another. So in some ways, independence corresponds with isolation. And that is not something I would like at all.