Every conflict we have in life is because our freedoms are being threatened and the outcomes we desire are being or have been sabotaged.

We all want to rise up and triumph over our circumstances and to create a life that is beautiful. It’s our right as a human to do so.

Recently, I realized how key freedom is to me and how it has driven the narrative of my life since I was very small. The work it has taken me to claim my freedom has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done and the best thing I have ever done.

What compromised my freedom?

Externally, I experienced maltreatment from others (even from those who were meant to care for me) and heavy pressure to conform- often in ways that compromised my own values.

Internally, I lived in a state of constant fear and anxiety and I accepted and believed what was said about me so I treated myself harshly for being such a ‘loser’.

I became a master of self-sabotage, was full of anger, and then shut the door on letting myself feel joy or hope.

What a cocktail. Plus, if you add in a traumatic event or two…it can seem almost impossible to be free and cynicism knocked loudly on my door all the time.

Right now, at this time in history- we feel like our freedom is being threatened (with issues like PANDEMICS) and this creates even more fear. When people are scared they can take actions that worsen the situation.

How often are these themes active in your life, too? Do you ever take action or form patterns of behaviour that negatively impact your health, well-being, and abilities to be resilient?

We start to accept that we are powerless and start thinking,’that’s just how it is and how it’s going to be’. Or we go into protection mode- and harden our hearts. Something that never turns out well (first hand experience here…)

Let’s say NO to having (or letting) our freedom be taken away… 

The incredible news is we can reclaim our freedom and build our freedom skills so we cannot lose our freedom ever again. When we choose our thoughts, choose how we will behave, and choose how we will respond to our feelings and challenges- there’s no stopping us!

It’s the POWER PROCESS and we can use it daily:

Step #1- Acknowledgment is FREEDOM

Our job is to get really clear about where we have felt judged or forced into conformity, where we have let others decide what matters to us, or where we have been mistreated and acknowledge the role these components have played in our lives.

Step #2- Acknowledge our CONTRIBUTIONS

We need to check in on our contribution to the matter. Where have we allowed our fears, our negative thoughts to dictate our actions or how we’ve treated ourselves? Where have we broken with our own integrity or repressed our dreams and goals?

Step #3- Acknowledge our human story- Be COMPASSIONATE and KIND

Finally (and this is the most IMPORTANT step), we must bestow ourselves with self-compassion and kindness and then do our best to let go of the hurts that others have inflicted on us.

In short, we must stop returning to the past where our freedoms have been compromised and we must live in the present where we have the power to make choices in favour of freedom. This is the key to the breakthrough.