Our nation celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, commemorating America's freedom from British control. The right to self-rule was thus established for the European settlers, though this freedom was enjoyed by neither the Native peoples who lived on these shores, nor by the slaves brought to work the fields.

Moving from 1776 forward to today, many Americans have continued to define "their way" as being that of independence - freedom from the control of others, often neglecting to see the value that exists in interdependence - mutual support and reliance. What we need to do better is to learn how to engage others without overwhelming them or subjugating them in any way. We know that none of us will go through life without a change or challenge that exceeds our personal resources. To help you develop your Personal Safety Net quickly and effectively - follow our four tips:

Today, a strong personal network requires:

• Choosing to deliberately create your personal network
• Understanding and valuing diverse skills
• Regular contact with others by phone, text, email, and in person
• Shared and clearly-stated commitment to each other