Cultivating Personal Independence

I have been dealing with my own internal fear for the past decade. I have chosen to suffer while evils are sufferable. I didn't realize it at first but, all of a sudden, today it is crystal clear to me. Over the past 10 years (or so) I have been afraid to do what normal people are afraid to do; change jobs, divorce, support myself, change careers, move (not necessarily in that order). Those are the big ones. I realize today that the people who have fought for independence first obtained independence for themselves. They first had to free themselves from internal thoughts that held them down. They liberated themselves from people that held them back from their dream. They chose to engage people in a mindful and peaceful manner.


These are some people that have impacted the world in a positive way; Martin Luther King, John Lennon, Mahatma Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, Sir Isaac Newton, Mother Teresa, John F. Kennedy, Mozart, Rosa Parks, the 14th Dalai Lama, Swami Vivekananda (and more)... One thing all of these people had in common was the courage to take a look at themselves first and cultivate the peace within. They chose independent thought and cultivated the mindfulness to share that thought in peaceful methods. Had these people chose a more violent path their result would have been much different... don't you think?


I choose to make today a monumental day. I choose to make today the day I choose my internal freedom. I have been afraid of putting myself "out there," opening up and showing more people who I am. I have lived most of my life trying to live up to others expectations. I have been afraid I will let someone down. I have lived to please others first and myself last. I have been afraid my actions won't be good enough. I have lived to serve others in a way that didn't serve me. Today I choose to honor myself by unapologetically, and quietly, following my heart.


This does not mean that I choose to be completely self centered and leave all other responsibilities behind. Noooo, quite the opposite! This means that I make a firm commitment to my chosen obligations. That I hold the integrity and responsibility of my words and actions. This means that I choose to lead with my heart and be fully in the present moment. To honor my goals, my path, where I envision myself in 3, 5, 10 years and fully commit no matter what others may say to me. To be fully in the moment and lead from my heart when I parent, when I interact with clients, when I teach, when I am with those I love. To choose empathy and compassion over aggression yet set firm boundaries that honor me and my loved ones. Then forgive myself when I react unskillfully - because I know that will happen... I'm human for goodness sake!


Today I show my gratitude by celebrating our freedom of speech, our individuality, and the love and respect that we have for our independent-selves. If you haven't already, choose to commit to your dreams, hopes and goals today. Also, choose to listen to someone else's dreams, hopes and goals today. Hold the space for greatness to illuminate all of our lives. There is no better time than the present! 

Non-violence which is a quality of the heart, cannot come by an appeal to the brain.

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

Freedom and slavery are mental states.

Hatred can be overcome only by love.

There is no path to peace. Peace is the path.

Each one has to find his peace from within.

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

Whenever you are confronted with an opponent, conquer him with love.

My greatest weapon is mute prayer.

~ Mahatma Gandhi

With much LOVE and PEACE ~ Namaste