June 19, 2011: Freedom is a State of Mind

Hola, All! This morning I heard a song that I haven't heard in a long time: "Born Free". I knew most of the lyrics but as I was listening to the words, a deeper and different understanding was taking place. In case you have forgotten, the first stanza is: "Born free, As free as the wind blows, As free as the grass grows,......" It got me to thinking about another meaning of freedom. Is anyone really born free or is freedom a state of mind? How many people live in countries such as the U.S and feel tied to their jobs, to their responsibilities, to their relationships? They drag around all day bemoaning the situation that they see themselves in, not even trying to look at it differently. Rev Kay has a grandchild who has spent much time in and out of jail. One time she said to him, "You are the lucky one, because you can see the bars that imprison you. Many others are imprisoned by bars that are invisible." What a profound statement! I know that I have felt trapped before, not knowing which way to turn, and feeling like I had no control over my life. I wish someone had said to me, "You know, Dawnie, the only things keeping you behind bars are your feelings, your beliefs." That was so true........I FELT trapped, FEELING like I had no control, no options. And yet, I did have options; I could stay in the pity party that I was throwing for myself, or I could look at the situation as an opportunity to grow. Everything that I see as an obstacle, is really the Universe giving me an opportunity to change something about myself, whether it be my thoughts, my beliefs, my actions.
The third stanza from the song starts by saying, "Stay free, where no walls divide you". As I continue to let go of negative thoughts, negative words, negative actions, the walls that I put up so long ago are falling down like raindrops. leaving me closer to the people I love. What a feeling of freedom it is to know that the bars and walls that used to contain me have since dissolved into thin air, back to where they came from. Without a doubt, freedom IS a state of mind; the same person who imprisoned me has also set me free. I truly am "Born Free".
Be free,
Dawnie