Freedom and Independence to Be Ourselves

Words have power.  What we say to ourselves matter.  Thoughts translate into actions.  If we enslave ourselves to others, then how free are we? .  I was thinking about all this recently while chatting with a friend.  She said:  "I gave my word that I was making this trip to visit family...however, it's going to set me back financially and prevent me from putting money into some parts of my business that will enable me to expand."  So I got to thinking..."what good is our word to anyone else if we can't keep our commitment to ourselves?"   I was reading an e-mail newsletter I receive called "The Daily Love".  This part really resonated with the theme of today, July 4th:  " Let today be the day that you declare to yourself that you have inalienable rights and have the courage to stand up to those in your life who convince you otherwise. If any of your relationships do not promote your right to "Life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness", do what we did in 1776 and draw a boundary. And like the Preamble says, if any relationship becomes destructive, it is your right to abolish it and create new relationships that promote Safety and Happiness. 

A single act of defiance in the face of oppression created a whole new country full of new found possibility and freedom. And so it is with you, if you are feeling the need for your own Declaration of Independence, have the courage to stand up for what you need. Who knows what kind of new life and possibilities are out there just waiting for you to claim your right and acknowledge that you deserve a better life? What would of happened if our forefathers hadn't taken a stand? Where would that of left us? 

If you are not in the flow of your happiness, then abundance, freedom, creativity, joy and love cannot be yours. And if you are not in alignment with belief that what you desire for yourself you also desire for others, then these gifts will also evade you. 

All beings are created equal and deserve happiness. Claim your right to happiness and let go of trying to control the will others. Give them the space to find what they need and give yourself the room to do the same. "  

The affirmations at the bottom of the e-mail read:  

I am free from the opinions of others.

I celebrate setting boundaries.

I am free to be me! 

And in that spirit, I share an oath I wrote for this friend to make to herself: I'm sharing it here so anyone can use it:    I, ______, vow to place my needs and vows to myself first and above all others.  In doing so, I serve my soul and can give a better version of me to family and friends."

 Print that out, sign it and post it on your bathroom wall. Let's celebrate freedom and independence~