Instead of trying to make your life perfect, give yourself the freedom to make it an adventure, and go ever upward. (Drew Houston)
Every human has four endowments–self awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom…The power to choose, to respond, to change. (Stephen Covey)
This weekend, we in the US will celebrate Independence Day–July 4th. For most of us, we’re focused on barbecues, the beach, fireworks, and leaving work early. We don’t always focus on the fact that it commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence 241 years ago on July 4, 1776.
Freedom means different things to different people. In the US, we are privileged with bountiful freedom that many other countries strive for. So, as you head out to fire up the grill and start off your weekend festivities, take a minute to celebrate and express gratitude for the freedom you have in your life–to choose how you live, love and work. And while you’re at it, also give some thought to the areas in your life in which you need to free yourself. In what ways do you feel chained to choices that no longer serve you and have you feeling less than free? Where in your life do you feel stuck and without options?
As you commemorate that historic day so many years ago, give yourself permission to celebrate your own declaration of independence. Give yourself the freedom to lighten your load, to exhale and eliminate some of the negative habits, thinking, or ways of being that are limiting your options. Unlock the chains that have you tied to unproductive choices. Assert your right to change your mind and move in a new direction. Don’t wait for permission; you’re free to choose. There’s no better day than July 4th to assert your right to be free–as only YOU can define it for yourself!
VISION + COURAGE + COMMITMENT = FREEDOM
The secret to happiness is freedom…and the secret to freedom is courage. (Thucydides)
