Freedom, what it means to me on this July 4th.
We’re coming up to July 4th, the date that marks the birth of the United States of America as an independent nation. July 4, 1776, 247 years ago, 13 colonies claimed their independence, their freedom, from England. They went on to adopt the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution.
Important guidelines for our nation to adhere to.
I thank our military and our Veterans for protecting us so we can live within freedom on American soil.
Hopefully you will spend time thinking about what freedom means to you over the 4th of July.
What Freedom means to me is being free to be who I am. It starts inside of me. Choosing to be in relationships with people who accept you for being who you are.
First, it begins with me knowing who I am, what matters to me, what I value, what and who I love. The freedom to be who you are, is so very vital to living a life you love.
It’s about you being able to look in the mirror and say, “I love you”.
Quotes from Nelson Mandela about freedom:
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
“Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious of a human achievement.”
As I’m thinking about how someone in prison for 18 years, as Nelson Mandela was, can still feel free, what comes to me is: it’s an inside job, just like everything else is in our lives. It’s about our mindset and guarding it carefully from negativity.
As I write in my gratitude journal most days, one thing I write is how grateful I am “to have the freedom to be me”.
There were times in my past I didn’t feel free to be who I was. I allowed others opinions of me to keep me living the opposite of living in freedom.
You see when you allow others opinions of you to get you down, you’re not living in freedom, are you? Think about it.
I think the trick is to acknowledge you’re letting someone take away your joy, love or freedom. Or do they?
When I really think about it all, as I stated in the beginning, it’s an inside job. I don’t think anyone can make me feel anything. I take full responsibility for what I’m feeling most of the time.
Do I catch myself blaming or wishing someone would be a certain way? Yes, sometimes. Only not for very long. I know better. I have the tools to help me move through these feelings fairly quickly.
So, when you do become aware you are giving someone your power and allowing yourself to not live in freedom, what can you do to move out of this? To move toward being free again?
I teach others to find something to appreciate around them. Anything. Stop and slow down long enough.
This will shift you out of the lower vibrations of the negativity or move you closer to feeling something positive. What else can you do to help yourself?
So what did Nelson Mandela do while he was in captivity for 18 years that kept him from being beat down totally and still had a dream of freedom?
His mindset stayed in a positive place as often as possible.
I would have loved to interview him and ask him exactly that myself.
He went on to be a leader of so many people, living as a great example of living free.
He also said this:
“Live life as though nobody is watching, and express yourself as though everyone is listening.”
“One of the things I learned when I was negotiating was that until I changed myself, I could not help to change others.”
Furthermore, I think if we each did the best we could to live in this manner, this world would be a happier place. We all know this great nation needs so much love, blessings and prayers right now.
Freedom is a precious thing isn’t it?
Hence, I feel so much gratitude living in this country, where we do have so many freedoms, other nations do not have.
I’m hoping you will stop and remember what we do have living in the USA, and treat each other with grace, patience, kindness and love.
Happy birthday to The United States Of America on this 4th of July!
Leave me comments below with your thoughts will you?
With love and blessings to all of you,
Connie
PS. Here is a great article that gives more detail about the birth of our nation and the 4th of July:
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