Have you read Marianne Williamson’s Age of Miracles, all about midlife? I just read it the second time. It’s my quest in life to change the way the world views midlife and I think this is a start. I don’t always agree with everything Marianne has to say, but there is a wonderful passage that I want to share (in case you haven’t already read it) since it speaks to my heart:
Famous passage from Marianne Williamson
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.It is our Light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?Actually, who are you NOT to be?You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the World. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won’t feel unsure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.As we let our own Light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
I invite you to ponder those ideas -and ask yourself where in your life you are FEARING FREEDOM and therefore blocking this quality that wants to come into your experience in a greater way?
Choose today to accept the fact that we were born free and are meant to be free. Free from the influence, of others. Free of the thoughts and opinions of others. Free of our past. We are not living in the past and can be totally free from that. We are free to be the full expression of who we are – individually. Because we are individual expressions of the One Mind, One Power, One Life, this means we have self choice, volition, a conscious mind, complete freedom and a “POWER TO BACK UP THAT FREEDOM.”
From Ernest Holmes
In the Science of Mind, by Ernest Holmes on p.108 we read: “We cannot imagine a mechanical or unspontaneous individuality; to be real and free, individuality must be created in the image of Perfection and let alone to make the great discovery for itself.” That is the discovery of our Freedom.
We are created with the possibility of limitless freedom and left alone to discover it ourselves. This discovery is called the awakening process.
Ultimate freedom is the freedom to be the divine self that you are, which includes living as a fully balanced and conscious being. When you remember that you are liberated, you are spontaneous in your expression of life and you express in ways that are in harmony with the greatest good for everyone concerned. How many of us live inhibited, for whatever reason.
I watched a video recently of people laughing, just people laughing and they looked so silly and most of us don’t want to look like that. We’re worried that people might think there is something strange about us. So, we hold ourselves back from laughing. How many things do you hold yourself back from? When you accept your Freedom, you are at ease wherever you find yourself. You have the freedom, to just be you. When you are free, you don’t have to worry about what the other person is thinking, feeling, being, doing. When you are really free, you can totally allow another person to be free, because you don’t depend on their being anything. And that’s even your partner or anyone else in your life. Your freedom doesn’t depend on what they do or say. Nothing binds you, you are a true individual, unique and expressive. Life takes on more joy when freedom is realized.
We have total freedom to choose at every moment and we constantly experience the results of our thoughts and the results of our actions. What Freedom that is! We think it’s a burden, but, in truth, its amazing freedom to know that no one else has the power over your life but you. If you don’t like what’s happening in your life, you have the power to change it. You don’t have to wait until mom or dad do something. You don’t have to wait until your partner gets better; you don’t have to wait until the children grow up; you don’t have to wait for anything. You’re the one that has the ultimate power and the ultimate freedom. When we do that, being free allows us to experience so much more of life.
The difference between freedom and bondage is simply the word, Choice. We have choice in every single moment, in every single experience. Let’s choose to be conscious of our choice. But, even that choice is yours.
This article speaks to me so perfectly, thank you! I am so into doing and pleasing everyone else but myself. My husband hurls negative remarks at me, lots of past stuff, many his untrue intrepretations, and I have so much fear of just being me. I love him, but he is consumed with bitterness, of things even before we met and many assumed ones after we met. I really need to be “free from the influence of others.” “Free from the thoughts and opinions of others.” Your article has given me hope that I can find my much needed inner strenght. Thanks!!
Yes, Marilyn, there is great hope. You are not alone. Many woman, including me, have spent years pleasing others. As we come to own our own magnificence, this begins to change. I will KNOW that for you.
Meanwhile, check out What You REALLY Want, Wants You. —
http://www.reallywantsyou.com I think it can help you see your own strength.
Best to you and thanks for sharing this.