Let Freedom Ring!

We live in a free society.  We are free to choose who we are and what we wish to do with our lives.  We are given unlimited choices in every area of life – what to eat; when to eat; what to drink; how to travel; who to associate with, and so on.

Freedom is important, yet sometimes our language imprisons us from living a completely free life.  When you use words like “should”, “shoulda” and “must” you are restricting your options for freedom.  This mindset creates limiting ideas and can turn a simple task of love into an unwanted chore.  When this happens we have a tendency to rebel or refuse to participate. 

The result is we fail to keep our word or simply don’t show up for a commitment.  We begin to feel overwhelmed and obligated and just want to close out the rest of the world and withdraw. 

You may even go as far as not answering the phone or a text message just to grasp a bit of space and time for yourself.

There has to be another way, right?

The first step would be to only commit to doing things you really want to do.  Remember, we are all at choice – all the time.  No one is pressuring you to do everything they ask and demanding you commit (and if you do have a relationship of this nature you may want to make another choice).   The idea that you are here to please everyone else is in your mind alone - - it may be a belief you have that says you must involve yourself.  And that just isn’t the truth.

“Must” is one of those words that create the restrictive thinking we want to avoid. 

When we agree to do something, or call someone, or go to an event - - then we simply get to do just that.  When we take the time to evaluate our options and personal schedules we can say “yes” and mean it and we can choose to say “no” without further explanation and simply not to take part. 

Once you have decided what you will and will not do, then life becomes a bit simpler.  You don’t feel overcommitted and underappreciated.  You have time for yourself, time to rest and rejuvenate.  You now have more energy to play and join in on the activities that mean so much to you.

And you begin to keep your word again.  And that act, in and of itself, is very freeing!

As we look at life and our choices we can truly live in the freedom in which we have been given.  Each one of us can decide what we want to do and once we commit; do everything within our power to keep our word.

This freedom guarantees one develop a character of integrity and with integrity comes self respect.  And when we can live with ourselves, respecting the very essence of our true self - - well, that is the most freeing act of all!

No More "WHY"-ing

Each one of us is powerful beyond any idea we may have about ourselves and life.  Our power exists in this moment; this now moment.  All of the miracles and joy of life take place in the present.

This moment is your only experience, your only opportunity to embrace life and stand in your power.  Everything else is a memory of past experience or a wish or dream for the future.

Even when we realize this truth about the present we still seem to spend a good amount of time and energy on the past.  We want to get a handle on the “why” of it all so we can understand how we got here and why we feel the way we do.

“Why didn’t he call?” “Why did she forget to meet me for lunch?” “Why did I make that huge mistake and lose my job?” “Why?”

“Why”-ing doesn’t really serve us.  Taking the time to consider the “why” completely pulls you out of this moment and into the past.  Now, you have begun to evaluate and investigate past behaviors, intentions and situations.  You may even decide you know why others participated in the way they did.  For some of us this activity becomes so important we find ourselves living in our stories of the past.  We miss out on the now and many times the conversations and connections that can inspire us are disregarded due to our personal and intense focus on why.

You certainly can take the time to investigate the “why” of it all, but wouldn’t it serve you better to simply take stock in where you are now and decide what is necessary to make this experience a better one?  Truthfully, all you can ever do is begin from this moment.  I can be accountable for every second of my life by simply being here, now.

In the grand scheme of life, does it really matter what go you here?  You’re here!  And if you don’t like where you are or how you feel, then now is the time for change.

I know that every action, every thought, every relationship led me to be here now.  In this moment I set my intention to be more successful, more loving, more grateful and kinder than ever before.  I can serve myself, my family, my community and this planet by letting go of the past and owning my power in the now.

I really don’t need to know why you didn’t trust me before today.  I only need to sit down together and look at who I am and who you are in this moment and decide what we can do to build the trust we both deserve going forward.

We are all beings of light and energy.  Constant focus on the past zaps your energy and impairs your ability to handle each challenge and each moment.

Today, we can stop “why”-ing.  Today we can each live in the now, accepting who and where we are and focus our energy and power on living life to the fullest.  In this moment.  Now, in this one!

Shine Your Light

Within each of us burns a brilliant fire.  This fire is our own to use as we choose.  We can open up our hearts and allow the brilliant flame to shine for others to see or we can try to hold on to our light, our flame and keep it burning within, quietly, almost unnoticed.

As I sit in front of my fireplace I watch with fascination as the flames burn and encompass the logs. There is comfort here, and a sense of stability.  All is right with the world and the fire and its warmth are welcome.  The flames are brilliant, vibrant, and powerful.

With time, the flames consume the logs and begin to die down and the logs turn to ash.  Here I have an opportunity to question my own inner light.  I may find I am fearful and doubtful and as the cold returns to the room I become chilled to the bone.  If I wait long enough I can convince myself the fire was never here at all.  I can choose to believe that I am alone and separated from all of life and allow my emotions to pull me down further.  An old, familiar sorrow begins to surface and I  fuel it with self criticism, berating myself for neglecting the fire.  In my solitude I find I am resentful, for now I must take action to rebuild the fire or I will surely die in the cold, alone.  I am momentarily helpless, hopeless and have forgotten who I am.

Somehow I muster the energy to reach out for another log and and walk over and toss it into the firebox.  With a few well aimed jabs of the poker the fire reignites, effortlessly.  It was simply waiting to be fed.

The light returns and the heat and brilliance reassure and comfort me.  As the flames return and orchestrate a dance before me I begin to feel energized and grateful to be alive.  There is a power here, burning before me and within me.  A memory is sparked and once again, I  remember who I am.

I am not alone.  As I continue to watch the flames an inner fire also grows and I realize it cannot be contained.   Just as the light in the fireplace can be seen from a distance,  so too, my fire, my light, my very existence is noticed,  is seen.

I am here to share my light. I am a flame burning brightly in this world.  My light is here for you - to guide you and support you, just as your light is here for others.   We are all called to light the way, to guide, to comfort.  Our brilliance cannot be ignored and we cannot withhold the truth of who we are.

Each one of us is a light unto the world.  Hope in the darkness.  Each one of us was created for greatness and this requires letting your light shine.  The time is now to feed the fire within you, to reach out, and to take a stand for one another.