Through The Looking Glass: Sweet Freedom

Freedom: Noun: The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint; The state of not being imprisoned or enslaved.

What does freedom mean to you? Here are my reflections... Happy 4th of July!

I’m free to appreciate the smile lines around my eyes, remembering how many remarkable and happy things they’ve seen over the years: the birth of my daughter, the unwavering generosity of family, the power of personal change.

I’m free to greet the imperfections of my body with a warm hello rather than a chiding bark, knowing that every flaw I see is most likely manufactured in my mind, invisible and unimportant to others.

I’m free to accept and protect the bruises on my heart instead of wishing them away, thankful for the lessons about growing up and love and forgiveness each has taught me.

I get to take stock of where I am on this predictably bumpy road and—on my best days-- trust I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be (remembering that on some days, the truck just needs to get kicked into 4-wheel drive to get through).

I’m free to listen to my intuition, and to run when it tells me to.

I’m free to look at the blessings in your life, and be happy for you without wishing what you had belonged to me.

I’m free to call you to say “I love you,” because it’s finally hit me that life is too short to let another second go by without you knowing.

I’m free to hang on to the things that no longer serve a purpose; I’m free to let those same things go.

I’m free to put syllables together to form words on a blank page and then press a button that shoots them out into the world to be read, without fear of retribution or ridicule or shame.

I’m free to practice tolerance instead of frustration, to lend a hand instead of stewing in a thick, messy bowl of self-pity.

Today, I’m free to accept generosity, and sit in gratitude for everything I’m blessed with. I’m also free to suffer if I want, to live imprisoned by dissatisfaction, self-doubt and negativity.

I’m free to get vulnerable with you and tell you how, on some days, it’s lonely here behind this smile. Or I can hold it all inside, because somewhere along the line I got afraid that if you really knew me, you’d turn around and run.

I’m free to start over. Professionally, personally, physically. On all of it I can press the re-start button at any time.

I’m free to rid myself of old habits, and free to pick up better ones.

I’m free to know you.

I’m free to know myself.

Free, free, free. I think it just might be the best word in the world.

Happy Independence Day, friends.