With the Fourth of July firmly behind us, it's given me a chance to reflect on what defines freedom.

It's my favorite holiday because of everything the day represents, and perhaps more importantly, because of the millions of brave men and women honored who protect these freedoms.

What I have concluded, however, is freedom is something different for each one of us.

For my son, freedom exists on his bicycle. This wonderful transportation device can literally carry him away from the rest of us and allow him to pursue whatever exists in his mind. Watching him ride away from the house and literally into the sunset, I can't help but wonder what he's thinking while he's peddling. I'll never know, because he's free to keep those things from me.

My daughter has discovered new freedoms and expanded her boundaries as well by electing to ride every ride an amusement park has to offer because she's officially tall enough this summer. That means my wife and I get to take turns on blood-curdling, spine tingling, heart palpation rides like the Pittsburgh Pitfall, Max Air and The Phantom's Revenge.

It's easy to see freedom in her eyes, but it's also fun to see her look at new obstacles and boundaries as well as to watch her discover solutions to further expand her freedoms.

One such instance includes getting her ears pierced. She's wanted to have it done for several years, but this was finally the year she took the step and decided she was ready. The earrings look great, and if I weren't in my 40s, I probably would get a matching diamond stud just to make sure everyone knew she still belonged to me.

When do we stop expanding our boundaries and enjoying the freedoms provided by our soldiers? Maybe a more relevant question is why do we stop expanding our boundaries, when the world really is our oyster? Shouldn't each of us be older, wiser and more eager to see new things, experience new sensations and live for the moment? After all, that's what freedom really is, right?

Can someone be too old to try new things, when collective wisdom smiles upon those who continually push the envelope or check off something else from their bucket lists? This country loves to root for the underdog, a perfect symbol of freedom.

It comes down to one word: failure. The brain has a way of convincing us the possibility of failure always exists, and failure must lead to embarrassment or a sign we're not good enough. But that goes directly against everything good about this country.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said men succeed when they realize their failures are the preparation for their victories. Unfortunately, we aren't really into "prep" work many times. After all, it's hard, and there is no guarantee of success.

But success, like freedom, is defined by each individual. Riding a bike, getting ears pierced, diving from a diving board and trying new things help us find who we are and what we're really about.

I urge you to try something new, even if it's ordering a different item off the menu, calling an old friend, donating blood for the first time or getting a tattoo.

I can promise you this much: Once you commit to doing something, things will change and you will enjoy true freedom and probably experience some personal success, which only leads to more little victories.

That's why I love Independence Day and all it stands for.

Christian Ola, a community columnist for the Butler Eagle, resides in Mars with his wife, son and daughter and can be reached at christianola@aol.com and through his website, www.christianola.com.