Freedom rang in my heart this past Sunday as I sat at our favorite farm market and listened to the local concert band play patriotic songs, shows tunes, etc.
I was moved to tears several times listening to the music as my heart filled with profound gratitude for my life, the freedoms I have, the magnificence of nature, the beauty of sound, and the glory of human beings coming together to contribute and bring joy to others.
I believe part of the tears came from observing how much I have healed, grown, transformed and freed myself over the past 18 months.
You see, in 2007 I went to the same farm market with my family to listen to the same band, under the same gazebo, eat the same tuna wrap, see the same people, smelled the same flowers, etc.
But in 2007 after experiencing this “same” day I walked away feeling disappointed by the band, less than impressed by the caliber of music, and judgmental of the fact that we were by far the youngest people there to listen.
We had recently moved from Los Angeles where things were bigger, flashier, more impressive, more “hip,” etc. So I compared and judged… and missed the glory of the day.
I wasn’t as free then as I am now. While I am blessed to live in a country where I am a free citizen… on the inside I was a prisoner in a cell I had built myself. I was frequently in a state of lack, stress, judgment, worry, always feeling “less than” or “not good enough,” – and quite certain that the grass WAS greener somewhere else.
Flash forward to the past 18 months where I have been through a profound process of acceptance, surrender, deepened faith, purposeful and passionate work, less stress, more joy, grace-guided abundance, deeper love and more.
With this internal freedom, I am able to be more of who I am, to be deeply grateful for the abundant blessings in my life, to see that God has placed me here simply to be the highest and most authentic expression of who I am… and bring more love, healing and transformation to others.
This is the freedom that drives me now, and not just for myself but for every living being. Just imagine a world where everyone is working toward freeing themselves from self-hatred, judgment, lack, etc. The whole WORLD opens up to a new reality; just like it did for me when I returned to the “same” market for the “same” concert. I experienced the concert this year as a more healed and free person. As a result, I saw beauty, blessings, and God’s glory in everything!
I had tears in my eyes simply watching one of the percussionist grin ear to ear after crashing the cymbals at the end of a great song. He was literally giggling with the joy he felt while creating music. You could see the freedom he felt in his huge smile.
It’s a bit sad to think of where I was a few years ago, living in my own prison. Yet, it’s joyous to now be experiencing more freedom within – which opens up an entirely new world to experience “out there” as I serve my awesome community (you) and life my highest and most authentic life.
As I wrap up this article, I encourage you to contemplate where you may be holding yourself imprisoned. And I invite you to take a step toward freeing your own heart and soul into being even more of the magnificent, beautiful being you are. There is a whole world waiting for you… the “same” world seen through new eyes.
To your freedom…
