Freedom
It is helpful to identify our highest reasons for living, and what forces within us interfere with their fruition. We can discover our healthy talents, interests and dreams, and commit to supporting their evolution. We can increase our awareness of deep inner guidance and notice how it communicates with us; whether from feelings, visions, and intuition or external signs. When we override higher consciousness and defer to habits, external pressure, laziness or fear, we lose integrity. Integrity is the foundation for self-esteem. When we lack genuine esteem, defense mechanisms attempt to compensate for this. Defenses backfire when they are over-used, resulting in the appearance of character defects and symptoms, that tell us that we are not well.
The recovery of wellness and integrity does not occur from demonstrating occasional acts of kindness and expressing gratitude when it is convenient or self-serving. It is rather a permanent alliance with a sense of wholeness and divinity. We must allow ourselves to fully feel what we love in ourselves, others, nature, animals, the planet, life, and our God. We can experience awe and wonder at any age. We can determine what we most wish to communicate with the world, and what we wish to learn from our world. When we become still and quiet, we can see deeply into the essence and the interconnectedness of life. We can pay closer attention to the ways in which we experience holiness, miracles, blessings, divine intervention, guidance and love from our Higher Power.
Freedom from external “fixes” allows us to live with open, loving hearts. Freedom from negative emotions Enlarges and deepens our faith. Freedom from unhealthy behaviors lets us live from our soul’s purpose. Remembering that in our core, we are all magnificent miracles, propels us to demonstrate the highest humanitarian and spiritual values. Freedom arises from full recognition of our highest self, our unique purpose, and how we serve others in this life. The more that this recognition becomes reality, the more of Heaven we bring to earth. There is no greater freedom than this.
WWW.MARYCOOKMA.COM Mary Cook is the author of “Grace Lost and Found: From Addictions and Compulsions to Satisfaction and Serenity”, available from Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com and Borders. She has 34 years of clinical practice and 29 years of university teaching experience. She is a national speaker and has a private practice in San Pedro, CA. Mary is available for telephone and office counseling, guided meditation, speaking engagements and in-service training. Contact her at MaryCookMA@att.net and see her website for further information.
