Freedom lies in our ability to transform into that which we have forgotten we are.
Some of the sweetest moments of our lives live in childhood memories. As we get older, the memories start melting away as our day-to-day routine ensues or as a result of any of the numerous obligations that come along with the word “maturity.” Yet in our childhood visions, we laughed and danced with everyone watching. We drank in their smiles as they lived in the moment vicariously through us. As an adult, it seems being with a child offers up the permission, at least for a song or two, to spin around in fields of wildflowers unafraid of what anyone thinks of our inability to sway our hips to any particular rhythm and unafraid of any ticks or other blood sucking insect attaching to our bare legs.
It’s hard to imagine that there was a time in my life when I felt so completely free of worry. Of course, in reality, it probably only lasted about three years or so. Then someone, likely my mother, shared with me little tips on how to do things “the right way.” I was told where it was safe to play, who it was safe to play with, and just how loudly it was acceptable to play in any given situation. But before that, I was free. You were too. We are all born free spirits into this world.
Freedom to be our true, authentic, original, inspired selves is our birthright. Years of living this human experience attempting to please our families, our teachers, our friends, our community have gotten so many of us tied up and bound to the expectations of others. We believe our identity to be the accepted roles and responsibilities we have taken on. In truth that never was who we are. It is not who I am. It is not who you are. Who we are, at our core, longs to be free once again.
CREATIVITY PAUSE: Dig out a piece of paper and something to doodle with. It could be a single pen, set of colored markers, or a box of 250 crayons. Take two minutes to draw a stick figure sketch of your inner child experiencing a sense of freedom. Perhaps you envision yourself running through a field, blowing on a dandelion, and cartwheeling for joy. Remember what it was you LOVED to do and imagine doing it. As you create notice how your body feels in response.
Letting go of everything you’ve been told between the time you were three and now is not a simple thing. And yet, as large and daunting as this task may seem, it is the path, the journey to reclaiming our freedom.
I use the term journey quite intentionally here because that is indeed what it is. The moment you or I decide we no longer wish to live in bondage to our old beliefs we might as well pack our bags because the journey is about to begin. Embarking on such an adventure often brings with it some beautiful new sights and insights as well as the opportunity to explore deep dark caverns we’d rather not admit even exist. Reclaiming our freedom of spirit requires releasing some of our luggage along the way. There are some parts of the terrain where those old bags simply hold us back. And so we leave them cliff-side as we make the dangerous leap across the ravine.
Now there are some of you who will read this and shout for joy at the possibility of spelunking into caves and other, more rational folk, who are about to exit quickly lest the very words themselves call forward such an experience. Perhaps you are the type of person who would prefer a simple ocean side vacation with swaying palm trees and gentle winds free of cliffs and caverns. If so, I would like to remind you that storms can reach even the most idyllic white sand shores. Take heart though, for as storms come, they also pass. Our task as adventurers on this journey is to develop the faith to wade through the storms. Through studying great spiritual leaders and through personal experience, I have learned that it is only by walking through the rain that we cleanse ourselves of what needs to be released, then we can reclaim our freedom once again on the other side.
While some selling tickets for the spiritual journey may hand you a brochure with gold paved roads lined with lilacs and poppies, I am here to say that what you see on the surface is only part of the picture. What you don’t see is the dark, musty forest that lies on the other side of that mountain up ahead. Your well-meaning tour guide may have you believe that by following the yellow brick road, you will only be led to gentle flowing rivers and meadows of peace. She lied.
Embarking on a journey of self-discovery or self-recovery stretches us beyond our comfort zone. It invites us to question what is versus what is it we are called to be. At the same time this journey provides us with a growing sense of our own power to walk through and overcome obstacles that block our path.
The journey of self-discovery is not a magic pill that will instantly fix all that ails your life. Rather it offers a set of practices that when done consistently yield growth, strength, confidence and clarity.
Life comes with many opportunities for growth and change – sometimes they can be quite messy. We are meant to grow. It is a natural part of all life cycles. At the level of our human personality, we often resist such change, seeking instead to remain comfortable in what has been. This often holds us back and leaves us feeling small, limited, stifled. Hope lies in knowing your own light, even in the darkest of times.
Through the challenges we face, we learn resilience, flexibility and inner strength.
It is important to remember that you are not alone on this journey. You and I both are part of a growing collective of individuals waking up to the light within. As each one of us does this we help to illuminate the world. In love, in light, in compassion. A world of people living their passion. One person at a time. One step at a time.
As we travel inward we connect deeper into our own hearts. We find ourselves feeling lighter, freer, calmer. We begin trying new things, taking classes that sound like fun, having adventures, trusting life is working in our favor. We are co-creators of our reality and we can learn to wield our invisible paint brush to out picture a world that works for all.
CREATIVE REFLECTION: How does freedom wish to express in your life? Explore this question in your written or visual journal. I’d love to hear what comes forward for you!
