This isn’t exactly the most active business day of the year, but on the off chance that somebody is surfing by let me wish you a happy 4th.

In celebrating the nation’s independence we’re also celebrating an idea – the freedom to pursue opportunity, to shape and control our own destinies.

Of course, despite our best intentions opportunity isn’t always as equal as we’d like. Given my own history, I’m a big fan of those who work hard to make something of themselves even when the odds are not in their favor, and I’m also a huge fan of those who use their influence and position to create opportunity for those further down the socio-economic ladder.

Here’s hoping that in the coming year we can find ways, all of us, to create more meaningful opportunities for prosperity and happiness.

Have a good one. And now I have a cookout to attend to….