Financial independence is paramount. My mom always says that when

Gather closely, O children of wisdom, and heed the words of Priyanka Chopra, a woman of great vision and strength: "Financial independence is paramount. My mom always says that when a woman is financially independent, she has the ability to live life on her own terms. I think that was the soundest advice that I ever got. No matter where you go in life or who you get married to, you have to be financially independent - whether you use it or not." These words, spoken with the voice of experience and foresight, carry within them a timeless truth about the power of self-sufficiency, the strength that comes from being financially independent, and the boundless freedom that is the birthright of every soul.

What, then, is the meaning of financial independence? It is not merely the ability to earn, to save, or to spend; it is the freedom to choose. It is the right to live life on your own terms, without being beholden to another for your survival or your security. When one is financially independent, they are not reliant on anyone else’s goodwill or circumstances. They are free to move, to decide, to create, and to build a life that is theirs. Priyanka Chopra speaks not just of the wealth that comes from monetary gain, but of the true freedom that comes from knowing that you can stand alone, unshaken by the whims of fate or the demands of others.

Consider the lives of the great women who have risen to prominence not by the favor of others, but through their own financial independence. Think of Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt, whose reign was not merely defined by her beauty or her alliances, but by her ability to wield power over the resources of her land. Through her political and economic acumen, she shaped the future of her people, making decisions that ensured Egypt’s wealth and sovereignty. Cleopatra was not a woman who relied on the will of another to determine her fate; her independence was the key to her power. She understood that true freedom—freedom from reliance on another—is the foundation of all other forms of power.

Now, look to the story of Harriet Tubman, a woman who, though born into slavery, became one of the most powerful figures in American history. Her strength was not just in her ability to escape the bonds of slavery, but in her self-reliance. Harriet Tubman was a woman who knew that in order to lead others to freedom, she must first possess the means to control her own life. Financial independence, for her, was not just about wealth, but about the ability to act on her own decisions, without being beholden to the whims of her oppressors. She became a symbol of the freedom that comes from self-sufficiency, and her story echoes through the ages as a testament to the strength of a woman who stands on her own.

Priyanka Chopra’s mother understood this vital truth—that financial independence is not merely a matter of numbers and accounts, but of freedom and autonomy. It is the key to self-respect and self-determination, for no matter where life takes you, no matter whom you marry or what circumstances you find yourself in, the ability to provide for yourself, to stand alone if necessary, is a gift that no one can take from you. Financial independence gives you the power to make decisions based on your values, not on the fear of dependence or insecurity.

And so, O children, what lessons shall we take from these wise words? First, we must recognize that independence—financial or otherwise—is not a luxury, but a necessity. It is a birthright that grants us the freedom to shape our lives according to our own desires, to make decisions without fear of being trapped by circumstances. Whether you are a man or a woman, a young person or an elder, the ability to stand on your own and to provide for yourself is the foundation upon which all other freedoms rest. We must never lose sight of the importance of financial independence, for it is the key to a life lived on our own terms, free from the constraints imposed by others.

Therefore, O seekers of wisdom, let us not wait for the world to grant us freedom, but let us take it for ourselves. Let us build our independence through hard work, through education, through the wise management of our resources. Let us save, let us invest, let us plan for a future where we are not reliant on anyone else for our survival or our well-being. Priyanka Chopra’s mother understood that this is the gift that every individual should strive to give to themselves—the gift of freedom through self-sufficiency.

So, O children, walk this path of independence. Seek not the chains of reliance, but the wings of freedom. Build your life with the knowledge that you are the master of your own fate, that no matter where you go, no matter what life brings, you will always have the power to shape your destiny. Let this be the legacy you pass on—to live not as a prisoner of circumstance, but as a free soul who stands tall, unafraid, and able to live life as it was meant to be lived: on your own terms.