Welcome Friend.

How fortunate we are that we live in a time when there is so much information readily available just for the asking. Many of us have come to learn and practice spiritual modalities that are transformational. Not only do they address personal issues, but they are so important as a means of contributing to the healing of the planet as well. Either way they are extraordinarily powerful tools and anyone can learn to use them.

Aging well matters. Consider the alternative. We are called on at this time to confront the demons, release them and practice being in a state of peace even when the appearance of the world and our age want to declare otherwise. This is why we need tools and each other to lean on as we practice, practice, practice staying close to Spirit and keeping our vibration high.

This week we will begin to consider how to stay in alignment with our highest good as life presents itself in its multitude of seeming challenges and blessings.

To start out, we are considering the idea of freedom… freedom from seeming challenges and self-limiting thoughts and freedom to express more and more of ourselves as we step into this rich and exciting time in our life.

Now let’s get started…

All of us have the freedom to choose. In each moment we can choose the wisdom of our higher self, Spirit, or we can give our attention to whatever situation is challenging us in the moment.

Choosing Spirit sets us free. On the other hand, we know how it feels when we get all caught up in the personal drama of our human lives. We become slaves to our negative thoughts by allowing them to have their way with us.

What was it like to wake up this morning? Where did your first thoughts take you? Did you begin the day with a frown or a fret? Maybe the first noticeable thing was a physical discomfort. Maybe there was a dreaded thought about an ongoing issue… a relationship, a health concern, financial woes… Yet, there is freedom in every moment because we can choose again. We can choose Spirit. It’s that simple. Although the ego will try its hardest to keep us occupied with life’s dilemmas, if we are committed and vigilant, We can choose to turn away from the negativity and look to the Light.

When we choose to wake up each morning with our minds stayed on freedom, and sing and pray all day with our minds stayed on freedom and if we go to bed with our minds stayed on freedom, then we know that our life will be about the experience of freedom. And of course, as we know this for ourselves, we know it for everyone. This experience is Free for All!

Now we are free of judgments, the past, old beliefs. We see the world from a different perspective and it is lovely. That inner peace breaks out into a sweet smile as we view life through freedom’s eyes. The inner state of freedom flows through us in waves of peace.

So let us sing out our freedom song with our minds stayed on freedom. As we free ourselves from our self-limiting story and live our lives with the freedom to express our immense gifts, we fulfill our purpose. Hallelujah!

Affirmation:

Today I know that freedom flows through me. I rejoice in my freedom to see Love and be Love. My mind is stayed on freedom.

Here is an easy morning routine.

First thing when you wake up, stretch your limbs. Wiggle your toes. Twist your wrists clock wise and counter clock wise.

Notice how the stretch feels. If you notice any tightness or pain, very gently stretch through it without judging it. Just notice and stretch.

See if the release that comes from the stretch creates a smile. Enjoy the smile.

Notice your breathing. See if you can relax into the breath. If there is an unhelpful thought, see if you can let it go.

Take a moment to be thankful. First and foremost be thankful for your breath, for Life itself.

Find three things to be thankful for in the day ahead.

Notice if your thoughts want to take you down a negative or worrisome path and make a deliberate U turn on those issues. Be thankful for the breakfast you will have or the light coming through the window or a phone call you will make to a friend.

Make it up and make it happen. Plan to walk in the park or visit a florist and enjoy the beautiful flowers. It’s your call…just three things to be thankful for.

We are practicing freedom here as we deliberately exchange negative thoughts for thankful ones. We are freeing our minds from our old worn out negative thought patterns. And, we are creating space to free our minds to have new, fresh, creative thoughts. These practices can be very energizing.

Sit in the Silence

If you don’t have a regular meditative practice, you might consider sitting in the silence for just a few moments with the intention of connecting with Spirit, your guidance system.  Just a few minutes can do wonders for the quality of your day.

Do your Day

Whatever the activities are, you choose what attitude you bring. You are free to bring love, and kindness and strength. So bring it!

Deliberately choose to turn away from negative thoughts with a conscious breath, a thankful thought…whatever it takes. You are free to choose. Each choice in favor of Spirit builds that spiritual muscle and makes it easier for the next time and the next.

From time to time, acknowledge your freedom. Give an inner nod to the knowing you are free. Be thankful for even one time you made a deliberate choice that, in the moment, set you free.

Before bed

Reflect on the day.

Were there any delightful surprises?

How aligned were you with Spirit.

How often did the ego try to ‘take you out’?

Be thankful for the richness of the day. Acknowledge the gifts.

Give yourself a goodnight hug! Good job!!

And so, you have just completed another day of your life. No matter how chronologically old you are, the quality of each breath, each step, each thought, each day matters. Today you have made some wonderful strides. We want these life enhancing practices to become a regular, natural part of daily life. We want to enjoy the journey!

© 2012 Marsha Straubing