Hello Beautiful Souls- “From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues..”
“July 4 is a day to celebrate our country, its people, our diversity and to once again honor those who have served and sacrificed to protect these founding principles. It’s a celebration of America’s exceptionalism that allows people the freedom to be who they want to be and live how they want to live.”
Freedom
I’d like to offer another celebration. Beginning today, start the discipline of celebrating a different kind of freedom. Freedom from that which keeps you tethered to beliefs and practices that no longer nurture or nourish you.
Sometimes we need permission, like a weekday holiday, to recharge our batteries. I enjoy spending time with family and friends in the outdoors, getting my fill of vitamin D and laughter as much as the next gal or guy. This type of stimuli engages our five external senses and can feed our spirit in numerous ways. Oftentimes, engaging in our playful side awakens the kid in us and ignites a vibrant new energy. Our much too infrequent days of freedom allow us to let go of the reality of what can feel like mundane, adult responsibilities and offer much-needed rest and relaxation.
External freedom. Everything that exists outside of you
Internal freedom. Everything that exists inside of you.
When the external is in balance with the internal, you’ve achieved a mind, body, and soul connection. There is direct and precise communication between the heart, mind, and spirit. An awareness exists moment by moment in which you have trained yourself to be consistently and constantly aware of your state of being, honoring each experience with grace and acceptance.
Have you tended to your soul care, a self-care practice that invites peace and gratitude? Have you engaged in the five internal senses? Have you tended to your personal freedom?
Freedom means much more than speech and democracy. Freedom is your truth. Freedom is discovering who you truly are, connecting with nature, and exploring the depths of your spirit and soul. Ask yourself what it is that you desire. What do you deserve?
If you have needs that are not being met, perhaps you are looking for someone to fulfill those needs for you. Perhaps it is time to fulfill those needs for yourself. This is simply conditioning. We, as a culture, are so used to looking outside of ourselves for the answers.
Begin to connect.
Free yourself from electronics. Unplug. Disengage from your normal distractions.
Our daily lives demand computers but we all can carve out some time away. Walk away from your electronic devices and walk into nature. You don’t have to go far. If you have a yard, walk around and allow your bare feet to touch the earth. If you don’t have a yard, find a patch of earth and stand in that spot, close your eyes, and feel that connection to your mother earth. Be mindful as you walk, absorbing all the riches that lay beneath your feet.
Free yourself from your thoughts. Take 10.
Take time to focus on your breath and only your breath. A simple meditation practice is easy and engages the parasympathetic nervous system and replenishes spent energy. Focus on your breath as it enters your nostrils, watch it and be mindful as you picture it move past your lungs and into your belly. Relax and exhale slowly. Repeat for several minutes. Meditation can be done anywhere and requires no equipment and is at your disposal 24/7. Within minutes you will benefit from the effects. Even a short meditation offers physical relaxation, clarity for your busy mind, and promotes your overall health and well-being.
Free yourself from unnecessary obligations. Take time to make decisions. Make choices based on a clear intention.
Make your no’s and your yes’s important to you. Decide how you want to spend your time. Are you choosing based on an internal desire? Are you choosing because you feel you should or because you want to? Both are fine, but be very honest about the intention of your choice. Responding by saying you’ve made other plans is perfectly acceptable even if those plans are to sit quietly reading a book, doing crossword puzzles, or enjoying a quiet evening alone doing absolutely nothing.
Try some of these practices or adopt a soul care practice that offers you freedom from the choices that are currently not in alignment with your truth.
Experience internal and external freedom by embracing that which honors your truth, exposes your heart, and aligns with your spirit.
Happy 4th of July
Stay curious. Honor your truth. Embrace your personal freedom.
DreamIt-DesignIt-BelieveIt-ReceiveIt
DDBR-Micki