Imagination & questions: The weapons we can use in the war to gain freedom.
The golden sun shines brightly, its rays dancing and glistening across the crystal clear blue sky — there is not a cloud in sight. Birds are huddled together in the wide oak tree-lined streets, chirping, blissfully singling their songs in harmony. My vintage white roses are in full bloom and tower over the evergreen hedge in my front yard. The smell of jasmine and roses swirls through the air pungently — the last of the season in bloom baking in the hot afternoon sun, releasing their intoxicating scent throughout the neighbourhood. It reminds me of my childhood; it reminds me of happier days. Days when we felt free to do as we wished.
We are all at different stages of isolation and social distancing across the world, but one thing we can all relate to — and probably took for granted in the past — is our sense of freedom. Being free, doing as we pleased, having the freedom to choose.
What can you do today to create a sense of personal freedom, exactly as things are?
We can’t control what is happening in the world, or how long it is going to happen for, but we can control how we deal with situations, what we make things mean, and what we choose to do next. This is where we gain our personal freedom.
Personal freedom allows you to feel the way you want, experience the emotions you choose, and to and create the kinds of feelings that will enable you to create a more enjoyable and fulfiling life, right now. We focus on changing our inside world.
To create the experience of personal freedom, you only need your imagination, pen & paper, and to ask yourself this one question: What are the most important things to me in my life right now?
Just start writing, anything & everything which comes to mind — don’t overthink this. Let go of embarrassment or trying to look good — let your most authentic caring self answer, be brave, vulnerable, lead your kids by example. Make this into a family activity where each person answers the question on their own sheet of paper — you’ll learn so much about each other in the process! When you’re done, re-read what you wrote, and blu-tac them all on a wall somewhere easily accessible.
Why? The answers to this question reveal some of your inner values and core beliefs.
When you have an important decision to make or are feeling overwhelmed and anxious, physically take yourself to the location of these sheets of paper and look at them. They will give you insight and help bring you back to be present to what is most important to you and your family. This will guide you on what decision to make — which is best for everyone— based on what each individual member says he or she values the most, how cool and easy is that? It keeps things simple and makes everyone feel appreciated and thought of—it is a demonstration of how you value people vs saying you do.
