One definition of freedom is "the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved." America celebrates its independence from the monarch of Britain every Fourth of July. The date commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence, when the original thirteen American colonies declared themselves free from the tyrannical rule of King George lll. Another definition of what it means to be "free" is someone who "changes easily and is not constrained in their present state. We are able to adapt easier to unforeseen circumstances and challenges of everyday life when we can keep our minds healthy and free to change quickly and with little resentment for what any given situation may require of us. Once we are able to train our mind for right thinking and right actions, we begin to feel sure of our life's path and are free to follow our path unapologetically, confident in our abilities to trust our intuition and be lead to our life's true purpose.
Our minds are restrained whenever we are living the life other people think we should be living. Whether it comes to the ways in which we should parent, who we should love, or what we should be when we grow up, if those decisions aren't made from our authentic selves, we will never be truly happy. We cannot live our lives for other people and expect to feel free. But how can we start living from our most authentic selves? Only by consistent practice of The Four Seeds of Self-Care. Proper sleep and nutrition as well as regular exercise and meditation are the keys to unlocking a healthy mind. When the brain is properly nourished through consistent practice of the four seeds, we feel better physically and mentally, and are more equipped to observe the thoughts that we think, recognize their origination, and change them as needed in order to create a healthier and happier life.
Training your mind to be free through consistent practice of The Four Seeds doesn't mean you will leave your children, divorce your spouse, and move to another country, You might, if that's what your authentic self calls for. However, the goal is to harness the freest state of mind possible in the time and space we find ourselves in NOW. Maybe it's about that business deal, and we decide to be ok if we don't negotiate everything we want, because the healthier version of you seeks to create ways for success for all involved rather than solely for your selfish gain. Maybe your freedom is found carving out a specific amount of time to intentionally play with your kids, understanding that at the end of your one and only precious life, how clean your house was didn't end up contributing one iota to your ultimate happiness. Perhaps your new and improved brain finally comprehends that you are deserving of all the love and affection that you so freely give to everyone except yourself. You start talking to yourself and complimenting yourself from that new mental space, breaking the chains of self-destructive behaviors once and for all because you now know you are worth it.
Freedom is found in the details of life. It's the way we react the 999th time we tell our kid to put his socks in the dirty clothes. It's how we respond when our monthly bills end up being more than we anticipated. It's how we decide to interact with the family member who constantly criticizes our life choices. Or when we finally stop being that family member who does that to our loved ones. When we change our mentality for the better, we improve our quality of life by achieving our personal goals, fostering more meaningful relationships, and better connecting with our community. But before the freedom comes the sacrifice, the consistent practice of The Four Seeds. If there were a shortcut, i'd be the first to take it. But there's not. There's just here and now and the thoughts we think that will determine the choices we make for the life path we will take.
With love and gratitude,
Kinda and Rachel
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