I wanted to write a few words on this, as I just observed a person, dear to me, who is miserable. This person suffers so much that at times, and in a very ungodly way, it bothers me.
I have been more and more, lately, in touch with my inner spark of God (or Jesus or the Spirit, whatever you prefer), so this time, I back-pedaled on my own intolerance and tried to understand why this person was in so much pain.
And then it struck me: this person is not free.
In Christianity, there is a lot of talk about freedom. For a long, long, long time, I didn’t get it. Where does this freedom come from? How do I get it? How can a religion with so many rules, regulations, axioms, advice, preachers, tips, etc., etc., talk about freedom?
I didn’t get it, then, until I got it. Not sure how to explain it. I starting choosing happiness, trust, calmness. Again, NOT in any way an overnight thing. It took a long, long, long time just to get CALM in the face of utter calamity, but I discovered something awesome.
I started to enjoy life. Even now, even today with this absolute crud going on in my life, I enjoyed the first grade play Amelia acted in. Now this is not to say that I’m not dog-tired, don’t have a sinus allergy attack that I’d like to do without, dealt with the dog pooping FIVE TIMES on my new carpet AND eating Zoe’s lunch, and had a small crying fit about the “futility” feeling special needs parents sometimes get. It does not mean that I’ve conquered all my demons, nor that the ones I have conquered don’t show up for a visit sometimes.
It does mean, however, that I’m enjoying the time I have more and more. At first, it was only a little bit, but now the scales have tipped the other way. I have the freedom to choose to enjoy my life, and I’ve literally felt weights come off my shoulders.
I wish I could just tell this person that freedom is an option and happiness is a choice.*
What about you?
*Note: I must also tell you that I’m fairly chemically in balance (not always the case as my hormones substantially ruined my 20s), so if you suffer a clinical disorder (depression, hormone imbalance, PPD, etc.) this may be different for you. Just a disclaimer.
CJ says
I wish I could snap my fingers and end up where you are. I admire your faith, strength and knowledge on all of this. You always make sense. You always lead me on the right path….I just need to take the first step. But that’s always the hardest one to take.
admin says
Honey, wish I could have snapped my fingers to get here!! The problem is, real, lasting spiritual growth only comes through pain. No other way I’ve found to do it, and believe, I’ve looked!!
Baby steps, CJ, and start at home. Be nicer to the MOST important people. I started by curbing my temper with my kids, working hard on not complaining so much, and tolerating the hubby more. Little things. Only when you start to get the hang of that, do you have a shot at not cursing out the guy who cut you off 🙂
Thanks for the compliment! No one’s ever accused me of “always” making sense before, LOL!
CJ says
I wish I could snap my fingers and end up where you are. I admire your faith, strength and knowledge on all of this. You always make sense. You always lead me on the right path….I just need to take the first step. But that’s always the hardest one to take.
admin says
Honey, wish I could have snapped my fingers to get here!! The problem is, real, lasting spiritual growth only comes through pain. No other way I’ve found to do it, and believe, I’ve looked!!
Baby steps, CJ, and start at home. Be nicer to the MOST important people. I started by curbing my temper with my kids, working hard on not complaining so much, and tolerating the hubby more. Little things. Only when you start to get the hang of that, do you have a shot at not cursing out the guy who cut you off 🙂
Thanks for the compliment! No one’s ever accused me of “always” making sense before, LOL!
Connie Corey says
I so can relate. I have two close family members who could so benefit from this mindset – one who is always physically ill, brought on by her own excessive worry; and one who plays victim all the time.
Thanks for the timely reminder. Enjoy it all, no matter what the day brings.
Connie Corey says
I so can relate. I have two close family members who could so benefit from this mindset – one who is always physically ill, brought on by her own excessive worry; and one who plays victim all the time.
Thanks for the timely reminder. Enjoy it all, no matter what the day brings.
Lisa says
Just came across your website, and hope to visit often.
Love your articles. Keep up the great work, and all the best!
Lisa
Lisa says
Just came across your website, and hope to visit often.
Love your articles. Keep up the great work, and all the best!
Lisa
Alicia says
Hi! I’m Alicia, mom to Evelyn. Just found your site- and LOVE it. As a parent of a special needs babe myself, freedom has changed dramatically for me. Freedom happens in a minute- or an instant. Freedom is acceptance of control over the things you can- and letting go of those that you can’t 🙂 I’m not totaly there yet….. maragaritas help on occasion (but that’s sometimes in the “Holy Hell Free Karaoke at the Corner Bar” type of free- which you have to be careful of). Looking forward to blogging and reading more!
admin says
Hi Alicia, welcome! Yep freedom IS all those things! And who among us is “totally” there? I try to avoid margaritas unless it’s date night, and I’d need a LOT of them to do karaoke. Thanks for sharing, I will be blogging soon, I promise!
Alicia says
Hi! I’m Alicia, mom to Evelyn. Just found your site- and LOVE it. As a parent of a special needs babe myself, freedom has changed dramatically for me. Freedom happens in a minute- or an instant. Freedom is acceptance of control over the things you can- and letting go of those that you can’t 🙂 I’m not totaly there yet….. maragaritas help on occasion (but that’s sometimes in the “Holy Hell Free Karaoke at the Corner Bar” type of free- which you have to be careful of). Looking forward to blogging and reading more!
admin says
Hi Alicia, welcome! Yep freedom IS all those things! And who among us is “totally” there? I try to avoid margaritas unless it’s date night, and I’d need a LOT of them to do karaoke. Thanks for sharing, I will be blogging soon, I promise!
Karlie says
I agree with the premise that freedom is an option and happiness is a choice, but it an ongoing struggle to live that way. It is all too easy to allow others to bring you down. I think this must be a major part of spiritual growth.
admin says
Hi Karlie, welcome! I agree with that as well. Not only people, but being physically spent, material things, society – all of it gets to you. And to be frank, it got to me this week, and happiness was a distant dream while I battled depression and fatigue over the weekend. Came through it and I’ve done some lab work to see if I’m up to spec.
admin says
Hi Karlie, welcome! I agree with that as well. Not only people, but being physically spent, material things, society – all of it gets to you. And to be frank, it got to me this week, and happiness was a distant dream while I battled depression and fatigue over the weekend. Came through it and I’ve done some lab work to see if I’m up to spec.