I don’t know about you, but holidays have taken on a new, more personal, meaning for me as I’ve aged. I noticed I’m re-focusing from
partying to personal growth.
Take the Fourth of July.
Traditionally, July 4th has been an easy holiday for me. With
my eyes closed, I can reach out to friends, plan festivities with the best food
and drink and provide an atmosphere of fellowship and fun.
Why I’ve decided to
do things differently this Fourth.
Last week, I sat down, turned off my monkey mind and settled
into an open and receptive stillness. Then
I let my mind re-live past July 4th celebrations and the activities
associated with them.
I was surprised to see a pattern unfold.
The common theme that wove its way through almost all past July
4ths was the lack of any sense of what the holiday truly represented for me. It
seems I’ve spent more time partying and less time on the significance of
freedom in my life.
What does this mean? I’m going to personalize this July 4th by
identifying and celebrating ALL the freedoms available to me, not by just acknowledging
our nation’s breaking away from the motherland -- with food and drink in my hand.
In fact, by spending time consciously appreciating all the personal freedoms that our founding
fathers fought so hard for, I am not only filled with gratitude for my life,
I feel I am paying proper homage to them for their monumental sacrifice.
On a more intimate level, here’s what I came up with for a truer meaning of freedom in my life:
free to think and believe whatever whenever. No
one can take away our thoughts.
-Freedom of our Heart - We are free to love whomever
we wish. I can be embarrassingly bonkers over my
cat, Kali, and feel an indescribable passion for books
and gingko leaves, as well as madly love my husband
and my friends.
one can take away our thoughts.
-Freedom of our Heart - We are free to love whomever
we wish. I can be embarrassingly bonkers over my
cat, Kali, and feel an indescribable passion for books
and gingko leaves, as well as madly love my husband
and my friends.
-Freedom of Movement - We are free to go wherever
we want in this glorious land. We can wander the
wilderness in search of solitude and spiritual
enlightenment without anyone blocking our travel.
-Freedom of Friendship - While we can’t choose our
family, we can choose our friends. We can’t be
forced to spend time with anyone. We get to decide.
There are people around the world who don’t have this
freedom.
-Freedom of Religion - You know how powerful and
important this freedom is.
As a senior, I appreciate the freedom of time. I can learn a
new language, write a book, play Words With Friends, cook a meal, or relax and
do nothing. I can stay in my jammies all day luxuriating over a delicious
novel. I am blessed with the freedom afforded by retirement.
Our personal freedoms really have nothing to do with the government or politicians or naysayers. They belong to us, and no one can take them away or ruin their importance.
Celebrate that!
Contact Antonia at antoniasseniormoments@hotmail.com or
What about you? Where
will you be?
If you spend this upcoming Fourth in the traditional hotdogs
and hamburger, corn on the cob and apple pie sort of way, that’s fine. I wish
you the most fun and relaxation possible.
If you’re like me and don’t have plans and might even be
feeling a little lonely or left out this holiday, take heart. Spend a moment
getting quiet. Then think about and celebrate all the personal freedoms you
have that make your life a rich existence every day.
Our personal freedoms really have nothing to do with the government or politicians or naysayers. They belong to us, and no one can take them away or ruin their importance.
Celebrate that!
“Freedom means you are unobstructed in living your life as you choose.
Anything less is a form of slavery.”
Wayne Dyer
Contact Antonia at antoniasseniormoments@hotmail.com or
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