I had a therapist years ago who taught me to ask, depending on the situation/feeling I was navigating:
Is it true? If so, it is freedom.
Do I feel free? If so, it is truth.
It's simplistic at first blush, but I've found it has helped guide me to living in integrity, which leads to that expansive feeling you mention. There's more to ponder, but for me, freedom and truth will always be intertwined. (And I mean truth in the Satya sense, not the today is Sunday sense).
Dang, I love this! I agree: freedom and truth are always intertwined (which is why we need to study ALL of our history). Thanks so much for sharing this.
Yes! ALL of our history. Thank you for creating this conversation. Also...I just realized the connection between you and 100 Word Story, which will be my first publication since I started writing full time a few months ago (slated for August, I believe). What a fantastic project--talk about distilling down to the truth. Synchronicities abound.
I know this will sound like an oxymoron, but I associate freedom with responsibility. This dates back to the days of COVID. I watched as both sides of the quarantine/vaccine/masks issues took harmful actions, in the name of freedom, that infringed on the freedom of others. It didn't sit well with me, and I realized that freedom comes with the great responsibility of not harming or restricting others.
This is beautiful, Grant! So interested to hear how your journey in this exploration unfolds. Thank you for the invitation. Below is a quote from my upcoming novel about a particular kind of freedom that’s come from my own quest.
“There are some people you just can't safely love. Not without sacrificing yourself, and I'm not doing that anymore. Because the only way to stop some people from hurting is to let them hurt you. And freedom happens when we draw that line and say, Never Again.”
Thanks so much, Khristin, and thanks for sharing this quote. You know, this came up in my Omega love/writing class: part of love is self-love, and part of self-love is protecting yourself, which includes saying no or never again.
Oh, cool. I hope to be a regular at Omega. It was SO hot, though, so ... one definition of freedom is coolness. And one part of coolness is paying attention to your thoughts, concerns, and cares.
I had a therapist years ago who taught me to ask, depending on the situation/feeling I was navigating:
Is it true? If so, it is freedom.
Do I feel free? If so, it is truth.
It's simplistic at first blush, but I've found it has helped guide me to living in integrity, which leads to that expansive feeling you mention. There's more to ponder, but for me, freedom and truth will always be intertwined. (And I mean truth in the Satya sense, not the today is Sunday sense).
Dang, I love this! I agree: freedom and truth are always intertwined (which is why we need to study ALL of our history). Thanks so much for sharing this.
Yes! ALL of our history. Thank you for creating this conversation. Also...I just realized the connection between you and 100 Word Story, which will be my first publication since I started writing full time a few months ago (slated for August, I believe). What a fantastic project--talk about distilling down to the truth. Synchronicities abound.
Oh, wow, that's great! I'll look for your story. I am no longer an editor, so I don't select stories.
I know this will sound like an oxymoron, but I associate freedom with responsibility. This dates back to the days of COVID. I watched as both sides of the quarantine/vaccine/masks issues took harmful actions, in the name of freedom, that infringed on the freedom of others. It didn't sit well with me, and I realized that freedom comes with the great responsibility of not harming or restricting others.
I love this! I hope you submit it to The Rumpus.
This is beautiful, Grant! So interested to hear how your journey in this exploration unfolds. Thank you for the invitation. Below is a quote from my upcoming novel about a particular kind of freedom that’s come from my own quest.
“There are some people you just can't safely love. Not without sacrificing yourself, and I'm not doing that anymore. Because the only way to stop some people from hurting is to let them hurt you. And freedom happens when we draw that line and say, Never Again.”
Thanks so much, Khristin, and thanks for sharing this quote. You know, this came up in my Omega love/writing class: part of love is self-love, and part of self-love is protecting yourself, which includes saying no or never again.
Interesting to ponder: Your freedom ends where another's begins.
Omega! You were in my 'hood. Sorry it was so hot. Freedom is paying attention to your thoughts and concerns and cares before you think of others'.
Oh, cool. I hope to be a regular at Omega. It was SO hot, though, so ... one definition of freedom is coolness. And one part of coolness is paying attention to your thoughts, concerns, and cares.
Yes. And yes.
Those five words are going on my chalk board above my desk. A five word manifesto of freedom and release. Thank you, Grant!
Thanks, Luanne! I'm so glad the words resonated.