By Vince:
Most weeks, a topic easily comes to mind that I feel like sharing with you. This week my mind, seemed to wonder all over the place. I would start thinking about one thing and, before I knew it, I was on a totally different topic. I usually read or experience something that gets me thinking in a particular direction and then I research it in more detail before putting pen to paper, so to speak.
I guess since we just celebrated the 4th of July, the topic that kept popping into my head is freedom. The term is used all the time, especially around this time of year and when elections are on the horizon. But what is freedom and how many of us really experience it? Even more importantly, when we do have freedom, how many of us make the best use of it?
As I surfed the internet, looking for interesting posts about freedom, I ran across a person named Virginia Satir. I’m sorry to say that Ms. Satir is no longer with us but she did leave an important legacy. You can read a bit about Ms. Satir at this website.
I really like the following quote by Ms. Satir: “I want you to get excited about who you are, what you are, what you have, and what can still be for you. I want to inspire you to see that you can go far beyond where you are right now.” But her work that really hit a nerve with me is her list of five freedoms which are as follows:
- The freedom to see and hear what is here, instead of what “should” be, was, or will be.
- The freedom to say what you feel and think, instead of what you “should” feel and think.
- The freedom to feel what you feel, instead of what you “ought” to feel.
- The freedom to ask for what you want, instead of always waiting for permission.
- The freedom to take risks on you own behalf, instead of choosing to be only “secure”.
Again, ask yourself, how many of these freedoms, which are available to me, do I experience? How many of these freedoms are you afraid of taking advantage of because of the fear of being branded? Finally, ask yourself, If you are afraid of expressing your freedoms, are you truly free???
Linda in Texas says
Good one Vince. Very thought provoking.
vivoaks says
Amen, Vince!! I agree wholeheartedly!!
Tony Bogusz says
Mmm… I would change the wording “ask for” in Freedom #4 to simply “do”, and change “want” to either “imagine”, “envision”, or maybe even “dream”.
I would also add a sixth point regarding the ability to “enjoy” or “take personal satisfaction in expressing” the first five freedoms, but never to the extent that you may encumber or limit another individual’s ability to do the same for themselves.
Then you have a complete, virtuously interwoven philosophy for “positively living (action verb) life” instead of “just existing in the drift”, typically only reacting to events (usually bad ones) as they happen.
Doreen says
Excellent! Thank you, Vince. For many, seeing the “roses” (much less”stopping to smell the roses”) has been obliterated by “realitites” that we’ve allowed to be foisted upon us as a reality and have lost our ability to respond (as opposed to reacting)!
dezertsuz says
I like her list! There are a few others I would add to it, but they are definitely a great starting place. Thanks for your thoughts today, Vince.
Nelle Coursey says
Thanks Vince! This is a great quote and I think it should be shared with a lot more people. She must have been a wonderful person.
Rosalie says
Good one, Vince!
DonnainKS says
Another excellent, thought provoking post. Thank you!