On this week when the concept and application come to the forefront of consciousness, at least in the US, let us take a moment to reflect with gratitude on its impact in our lives. In some ways, in a dimension of polarity and opposites, freedom is recognizable more by its absence. Just as with happiness, few seek to explore how they got there, but, rather just enjoy the experience of it, so, too, with freedom. Once it is experienced most simply experience I, until it is not there.
Paying attention is what is required to keep the state in consistent presence. Recognizing the actions, thoughts, and beliefs that serve being in freedom is valuable and highly recommended. And though the experience of freedom is personal to each being, there are some common elements that leave us at the doorstep of living unencumbered. It comes down to choice. What will you do when given the opportunity to have freedom rather than inner or outer bondage to a pattern, a relationship, a job, a philosophy, fear, anger, a disease, a way of life?
Freedom is the absence of restriction, to be allowed to flow with the moments of living, and to decide and choose what is “best” for your being right now. Freedom comes from being aware of your personal restrictions and choosing to do something else. The restrictions come from the agreed upon boundaries of family, relationship, community, and culture. Its not that they are bad per se, but that they do not evolve with the ever changing vibration of this dimension. Because they cling to be static, they feel the pressure of the moving world. And, in some ways by design, resistance occurs. You keep doing the same thing, thinking the same thing, and believing the same thing…and, voila, you get the same results. Now, many have been desensitized to the lack of freedom and settle for the same old because it feels”safe”. But, at what cost? The cost is true freedom.
So, I invite you to consider releasing as much of the old ways as possible. Step out of restrictive thoughts, patterns that you know no longer serve you, protective and fear based positions, being tethered to past experience and the projection that the same will happen…you know what really does not work for you anymore. Call upon your courage and will to take the step into freedom. Begin to do things differently…start small first. Become aware of when you do something that does not serve you…a word unsaid, a hesitation to take action, a choice to stay uninvolved, a fear of an imagined outcome. Do something different. This frees the pattern and offers opportunity for new energy and perspectives to surround the moment and feed you to take more chances. It simply builds upon itself.
Strengthen your freedom muscles by giving yourself moments to do just what you feel like doing. And do it! Get into water and float. Begin to feel what non-resistance feels like. Take a whatever happens walk where you simply allow yourself to go where you decide to go. Pay attention to who you meet, the environment, the sounds, the sights. Everything has meaning. Look at all the ways you restrict yourself. What thoughts are confining? What pattern actions keep you in bondage? What fears immobilize you? Do something you have not done before and notice how it feels. Observe your word from a higher perspective and begin to see the beautiful dance of support that is truly there for you.
Freedom requires choice and subsequent action. Practice, practice, practice! See freedom in the world. Talk about it. Become an advocate. Explore the social organizations that champion it. Affirm it for yourself and others. Advocate the life of freedom. Become an agent of change…a political force. You are always free to do so….if you choose.
from the book, Weekly Gratitudes
