What does freedom mean to you? For some, it is strictly a political issue: how much freedom we believe we have or do not have from our government. For others, it has to do with choice: do we have the freedom to do what we want, when we want, no matter the cost (or the law)?
For me, though, Freedom is something that comes from within. It can’t be given, it can’t be taken, and we can choose it daily, particularly those of us who live in a free country.
How, you say, can I have it daily? Well, it’s a matter of being free to choose calmness, peace and serenity over frustration.
That’s right, I think that frustration (and impatience, and selfishness) enslave us to our own whims. What we need to do use our internal freedom to choose calmness in the center of any given storm. Now, I’m not saying this is easy – it’s not, but it is doable.
Let’s take yesterday. As mentioned it was not a good day. Neither, for that matter, was Wednesday. I was thoroughly tested, and the opportunity to be frustrated and lose my temper showed up multiple times. Did I give in? Yea, a few times, I’m sorry to say. BUT I did triumph by ending up with a calm, peaceful night, and some of that was caused by the fact that I know there are things out of my power. If I make 5, 10, 15 phone calls to get a document I need, and I still can’t get it – that is out of my power. I’ve done all I can do, so there is no need to freak out.
Let’s face it, though. Most of my freaking out is NOT going to go to the person who caused me the stress. (Happens to you too, right? Do you yell out your boss, or do you wait til you get home, and get aggravated at your misbehaving kids or your imperfect spouse?) I can be calm and level in the face of horrible things, but the real test to having freedom over my emotions is letting it dissipate before I spread it to my loved ones. I’ve done it before, but it ain’t easy!
So truth time: what will YOU do this holiday weekend? Get frustrated by crowds, heat, traffic, and grills that won’t light, or, be free to enjoy the weekend? It’s only up to you…
From my family to yours, Happy Labor Day, all you American readers!
KrisM says
September 3, 2010 at 1:50 pmHave a great weekend too!
Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg says
September 3, 2010 at 5:31 pmYou are so right: We have to struggle so much that when the day is done, we have to find the peace from within. Otherwise, it’s easy to take things out on ourselves and our loved ones and waste a good deal of precious time!
As for myself, I’ll be spending part of the weekend reading and editing a book written by a friend of mine. That’s one of the benefits of being sensory sensitive: you have to stay away from the madding crowd, especially on holiday weekends (!), which leaves time to do some pretty enjoyable things. 🙂
admin says
September 3, 2010 at 5:53 pmRachel, welcome to my blog! Achieving peace is a constant battle, I think, for most of us. So much is pulling at us – our obligations, so many roles, and now technology is taking away whatever time is left. Sounds like you have a great weekend planned! For me, this is work i want to do… but I’ve just started reading Focus Manifesto…and finding that focus takes a level of commitment that I don’t always have.
Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg says
September 3, 2010 at 5:31 pmYou are so right: We have to struggle so much that when the day is done, we have to find the peace from within. Otherwise, it’s easy to take things out on ourselves and our loved ones and waste a good deal of precious time!
As for myself, I’ll be spending part of the weekend reading and editing a book written by a friend of mine. That’s one of the benefits of being sensory sensitive: you have to stay away from the madding crowd, especially on holiday weekends (!), which leaves time to do some pretty enjoyable things. 🙂
admin says
September 3, 2010 at 5:53 pmRachel, welcome to my blog! Achieving peace is a constant battle, I think, for most of us. So much is pulling at us – our obligations, so many roles, and now technology is taking away whatever time is left. Sounds like you have a great weekend planned! For me, this is work i want to do… but I’ve just started reading Focus Manifesto…and finding that focus takes a level of commitment that I don’t always have.
Kelly says
September 6, 2010 at 6:28 pmI didn’t get in my car the whole weekend. The kids and I spent the weekend roaming the neighborhood on bikes, scooters, and wagon. We also had a picnic in our fort. We played hide and seek until bed time and had ice cream cones as the sun set. It was a wonderful weekend! It didn’t hurt that we have had the most fabulous weather too!
admin says
September 6, 2010 at 8:29 pmWow, Kelly, that sounds like fun! I’m tempted to say this weekend was a disaster, but that’s only because I did not get my way. Still, school starts tomorrow (yay!) for one, so it’ll be easier/better time to come!
Kelly says
September 6, 2010 at 6:28 pmI didn’t get in my car the whole weekend. The kids and I spent the weekend roaming the neighborhood on bikes, scooters, and wagon. We also had a picnic in our fort. We played hide and seek until bed time and had ice cream cones as the sun set. It was a wonderful weekend! It didn’t hurt that we have had the most fabulous weather too!
admin says
September 6, 2010 at 8:29 pmWow, Kelly, that sounds like fun! I’m tempted to say this weekend was a disaster, but that’s only because I did not get my way. Still, school starts tomorrow (yay!) for one, so it’ll be easier/better time to come!
Kelly says
September 7, 2010 at 10:57 amIt was a great weekend, but I totally left out the tantrum I threw early on in the weekend!! So I can relate to your frustration! I hope your kids have a great time at school and you get some me time.
Kelly says
September 7, 2010 at 10:57 amIt was a great weekend, but I totally left out the tantrum I threw early on in the weekend!! So I can relate to your frustration! I hope your kids have a great time at school and you get some me time.
admin says
September 7, 2010 at 12:18 pmAh!! Well, better to remember the good than dwell on the bad 🙂 One is in school, the other still has another week. I feel like the last mom in America with a child not yet in school, sigh….