How does the Meadow flower its bloom unfold?
Because the lovely little flower is free down to its root,
and in that freedom bold.
William Wordsworth
A New Year, a new decade has arrived, bringing perhaps a fresh start. Are you being true to yourself, doing what gives you joy and satisfaction? Are you content with the way your life is going? Or do you feel there may be something missing that you would now like to find?
The turn of a decade may prompt you to change. A simple change of routine can give you a new perspective: finding new ways of going to work; daring yourself to sing, dance or play a musical instrument, when you never thought you could; putting your left leg into your pants first instead of the right, or vice versa. I did that this morning and it felt really weird.
It may take a dramatic turn of events - like job loss, divorce, ill-health - before you get nudged out of a role you had assumed and into being truly happy in your own skin, doing what you most love to do and finding new joy through it. I have observed that people who "retire" often take up a vocation that is closer to their hearts, and reach a peak of life fulfilment, sometimes greater financial success, in their 70's.
What does it take to be free to be fully yourself? You might risk the disapproval of those you know, but win new friends. You might give up looking through a glass darkly, seeing how wrong things may be, and find the beauty in simple events around you. You may focus on, and appreciate, your strengths and qualities, and stop criticizing your faults and weaknesses. You might take yourself less seriously, and have a good laugh when you do something stupid. You might stop trying to live up to impossible expectations of yourself, and breathe a welcome sigh of relief. You might come to see the world as a friendly place that forgives your mistakes, and welcomes your triumphs with open arms and congratulations.
Every human has four endowments- self awareness, conscience, independent will
and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom...
The power to choose, to respond, to change.
Stephen Covey
You see, I believe we may have much more freedom than we generally realize. As creatures of habit, we tend to get locked in to beliefs, expectations and patterns of behaviour that limit our freedom. How could you be more free? What would it take? And would it be worth it?
Watch how Ricochet changes her career direction for greater meaning, purpose and fun.
From Service Dog To SURFice Dog
5 Keys To Getting Free To Be Yourself
1. Love
Love yourself. Love your enemies. Love your mistakes. Love your way through your challenges. Love is the liberator.
Love does not claim possession, but gives freedom.
Rabindranath Tagore
2. Let go
Surrender the need to be in control. It has been said that control is the master addiction. Addictions trap you in false expectations.
Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom.
Hannah Arendt
3. Discipline
Eliminate the negative - thinking and projecting worst case scenarios. Accentuate the positive - focus on the beauty, joy and peace, in and around you; what it is you want to experience more.
Freedom is from within.
Frank Lloyd Wright
4. Stand tall
Literally. With both feet on the ground. Your head held high. Breathe in deeply. Breathe out any limitations, restrictions, fears, doubts, feelings of being less than who you truly are - a remarkable being, living in an astonishing world at this time.
Freedom lies in being bold.
Robert Frost
5. Act
Take your first step to gaining greater freedom. Give yourself permission to be fully who you truly are, honouring your unique gifts, talents, strengths and abilities. Communicate your intention to those who are important to you. Invite their support.
For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains,
but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
Nelson Mandela
How could you enjoy greater freedom in your life? Who do you know who inspires you as a "free spirit"? Who are your role models for freedom, and why?
There is nothing wrong with America that faith, love of freedom, intelligence,
and energy of her citizens cannot cure.
Dwight D Eisenhower
Please feel free to leave a comment below, or contact me at anne@annenaylor.com

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I'm working on minimizing and possibly eliminating false fear from myself and challenging my beliefs that lead me to act less freely than I'd prefer. I think it's better to expand the bubble right now rather than burst it. My friends and family matter very much to me and the constraints I put upon myself to be kind rather than brutally honest have value to me. Yet I sometimes admire those who are at liberty to say whatever comes to mind. At least for me, It's a tricky change. The meadow flower has its beauty and boldness works well for it. Perhaps that will be where I go as well. We'll see.
Best wishes,
little brother
What a joy to see you again! I really appreciate your comment and the caring that goes with it. Kindness and humour go well with being honest, such that no-one is wounded by it.
I agree with you about expanding the bubble rather than bursting it.
Wishing you much freedom and joy during this year.
With love and blessings,
Anne
A wise person once told me: In each person we meet, we see a distorted reflection of ourselves. That is why we gravitate towards the people who remind us of the goodness within us, while avoiding those that remind us of our weaknesses and mistakes.
Surround yourself with people that push you to excel, to learn, to dream big, to be more than what you think you are capable of.
Bee Li
Founder & Editor-in-chief
Me: in focus Magazine "Focusing on What Matters to You"
www.meinfocusmag.com
Many of us have capacity to expand beyond limitations we have assumed. In our ordinariness, we are yet extraordinary.
With love to you,
Anne
What a beautiful, touching post! I'm so inspired by this video, how brilliant of you to find and share it and then to read the comment from Richochet's owner really was special. This pretty much all of our journeys, to discover and accept who we are, just as we are, even if and probably especially when it doesn't look the way we think it should. This is the job we all came to do on the planet.
Thank you for so beautifully bringing this to your readers. I feel blessed to be among them.
Happy New Decade with much love,
Judith
Thank you! The video found me - see my comment to Kari! Life is so much more peaceful when we can discover and accept who we are - and celebrate it.
I am wishing you many blessings in this New Decade and look forward to receiving and reading more of your wisdom and insight rich posts.
With best love,
Anne
One of your best posts to date- you are starting the New Year on a HIGH Note Ms. Naylor! That was such an inspring video, and what a great way to bring home your message.
I am sure many of us make New Year's resolutions, and sometimes they represent a pressure to make ourselves into something we are not meant to be either.
I love the joy, freedom and possiblity you brought forward today!
Love
Kari
Thank you so much for your kind words. As usual, last Monday I wondered what I would be writing about. And a friend sent me the video. The article grew around it.
One of my favourite mantras to myself is: I am giving from the freedom of my joy. I am so happy you liked the article.
Wishing you much joy and freedom and possibility in 2010!
With love,
Anne
Best love to you,
Anne
Happy Sunday
There is such an amazing liberation in having freedom towards our fears.
With best love and blessings to you,
Anne
This is Judy, Ricochet's mom/owner/trainer. Thank you for using her video to illustrate how she changed her career direction for greater meaning and purpose.
I struggled with Ricochet for many months, and was often frustrated. I was trying to make her something she wasn't, and when I finally let go of the C word... "control"... and let her be who she is... amazing things happened. She had bigger plans for her life than I could have ever imagined. She's taught me a great lesson, and I now see how she wants to touch thousands of lives, rather than just one. I'm committed to helping her on her journey, and I'm open to wherever it leads!
You can learn more about Ricochet on her website http://www.ripcurlricki.com, or on facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Surf-Dog-Ricochet/178108649370?ref=ts
Thanks again,
Judy & Ricochet
Thank you very much for your so valuable contribution to this article. I am sure your story is inspiring many more.
I wish you every success and joy in your future endeavours.
With love and blessings to you both,
Anne
Good to see you here again - thank you for your kind words!
Enjoy a wonderful 2010.
With love and blessings,
Anne
With love,
Anne
What a good question. I can only think that in any community, those who may be seen as disadvantaged offer those of us who have resources the opportunity to be giving.
Thank you for your contribution.
Warmest good wishes,
Anne
1. thanks Anne!
2. this helps me reaffirm my main goal for 2010. "To inspire people to make positive changes in their lives."
Whatever positive change a person is needing to make or feels they want to make, I want to help them do that. Inspire them. Help them personally or refer them to someone who can help them make the change they want.
I am seeing myself connecting with like minded people who help me in my positive change/growth as well!
Peace on ya Anne!
Bill
It is always such a joy to see you here. Thank you very much for contributing your thoughts and insights. Your main goal is beautiful.
I wish you great joy and peace this coming year! Keep sharing your comments and wise words.
With love and blessings to you,
Anne
Thank you for commenting. You might enjoy the comment from Ricochet's owne/trainer above here.
They are a very inspiring pair.
With warmest good wishes to you,
Anne
Wishing you happiness and joy throughout this year ahead!
With love,
Anne
This is soooo lovely
tears of joy poured down my cheeks watching the video. You sure chose a super one this time
I adore Ricochet
All I can say is thanks for sharing
Ed
Ricochet certainly warms my heart! I don't think we can have too many heart-warmers especially when times can be chilly.
Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your heart here once again.
Huge love and blessings to you always, all ways,
Anne
Since October '09 I've been diligently trying to live my life by these principles. It's not always easy and I'm not always successful, but they are the most worthwhile goals I can imagine exist. If you think about it, once #1 is accomplished the others seem to fall into place. The one that I seem to get hung up on is #3. I am real good at jumping to worst case scenario as soon as a new development arises that has the slightest chance of turning out badly. I've resolved to strengthen my faith that the universe doesn't want me to fail, so why should I act as if it does.
Beautiful post, thanks Anne :)
Thank you very much for your comment. Discipline is one of the greatest challenges, especially staying focused on the positive.
To you success and enjoyment in 2010!
With love and blessings,
Anne