Learn More

"/>True Freedom - Ann McMaster M.A., L.P.C.

LIFE AS IT IS

True Freedom

Freedom, if not my highest personal value, is certainly in the top three (along with Being Awake and Telling the Truth). My early environment seemed to limit me in countless ways – everything was divided into good and bad. Good = smart, looking pretty, being nice/kind/generous/supportive/demure. Bad = making B’s in school, looking skanky, being rude/selfish/vulgar. Girls cook, clean and babysit. Boys hunt, fish, camp, play sports. Hmmm.

Since I didn’t like cooking/cleaning and I did like sports/camping/hunting/fishing, my question was, “Am I free to enjoy what I want?”  or  “Must I accommodate the limits of acceptable behavior for a girl?” So I did what any self-respecting, Type A personality would do, I did both.

It wasn’t until my late 30s/early 40s, with my involvement in The More To Life Program, that I realized – I’ve always been free. Always. Free. Everywhere except in my mind – therein lay all the dictums of proper/acceptable behavior – for me, as well as for everyone else on the planet. Education and international travel disabused me of the notion of “same.” That’s when the world became ever more fascinating. Options, everywhere options and possibilities.

What I know now is that the only True Freedom I have is to follow my heart/gut – knowing there is no guarantee – of anything – requiring curiosity and courage – especially radical trust in my journey, faith in the/my process. How exciting is True Freedom!!

 

10 Responses

  1. Debbie Brown

    Ann, I needed to hear this Today at this very moment
    Yes, everywhere options I always have the freedom to choose even when. I choose to forget that truth.And truth stands firmly planted no matter how I may believe I have the power to change I t. Truth withstands the test of time, it does not waiver, it is solid, it is where personal power comes from. The truth is you taught me about truth many moons ago. I thank you.

  2. Steven Walton

    I looked around the flat and saw how much cleaning needed doing. My freedom came in having a lady who did. Marvellous, I indulged my Downton fantasy.