Freedom Lifestyle – A new story about what is it and why.

Yesterday I spoke briefly of what freedom means to me. In the brief for this blog challenge Natalie said that ‘freedom is different for everyone’. I would like to add that the ‘story of freedom’ changes as our world-view, cosmology or mindset changes. Curious? Read on.

My old story: For many years freedom has meant being able to go surfing and have time to do what I need for my body and soul to be healthy. Like many others I have suffered from physical and mental pains and being able to work on getting rid of these was important. I have had freedom to choose whether I work for myself or an employer, and whether I chose an ethical employer or one that meets my financial needs at the time. I have gone along with the financial freedom stories sold to me by economists and saw freedom as having time and money. I have made employment decisions for life-work balance and I think I have done fairly well. Call it ‘Good enough freedom!’ However, it could not be defined as a ‘freedom lifestyle’. A freedom lifestyle would mean living true to my inner values and following my passion. Working for an employer, even if considered an ethical employer, restricts my freedom to be who I really am, the authentic me. Freedom would be to work without concern that my employer has a different agenda such as meeting funding requirements. It would mean being able to live and work where I feel called to be (plus where the surf and weather is just right for me).

Once I decided that having an online wellness coaching business would have the potential to provide this freedom I started delving deeper into my passions and calling. Initially I looked at my skills, tried to work out my super powers and although I knew I had a lot to offer a large global population of people suffering mysterious symptoms like pain and fatigue I did not feel passionate enough to push through the self doubt. But asking ‘why’ led me to reflect on my present, in the now experience of joy and happiness found through mindfulness. Eleven months ago I set a goal to spend one year to increase my skills to be able to teach mindfulness, possibly through an online process so that I could have freedom to travel to places where I could surf, do yoga and be in nature.

My new story: As part of that learning journey my story about a freedom lifestyle started changing to include inner freedom. Changing the story of freedom to being free of entanglement with thoughts and self limiting beliefs sparked a passion that has helped me make friends with self-doubt. It’s all about the relationship!

An Ah-ha moment occurred when an advert popped into my Facebook page, from a page I had liked, promoting the Awakening the Dreamer Symposium. The symposium gave me hope that I could contribute to helping preserve the ocean, wildlife and all I cherish about this world. By sharing new stories and tapping into the collective power of healing for the planet I will be fully resourced to coach and mentor those who are suffering. Answering the ‘why’ clarified my purpose.

Sure, self doubt was still hanging around, but this time it was “I have so much to learn; I don’t use Twitter or Instagram, only Face book, and I need to work out how to set up the web site.” …“I will wait until I have finished the Game Changer Intensive, then I will be ready”. Was I procrastinating, or is it a true enough logical reason?

Along comes an email from Natalie Sisson; a challenge to start blogging within a week. Strangely, thoughts of “I won’t be ready” didn’t get any traction in my head, just flowed by like the sticks Pooh bear watched floating under the bridge. My passion to change the ‘Planet Earth Survival Story’ supplied me with energy and clarity of mind to get a WordPress website up, write some blogs and complete the extensive course work for Week 2 of the Intensive. It is truly amazing what can be done with passion on your side.

Disclosure: There are many other freedoms I have enjoyed, some of which have been available to me because I am a member of the dominant race. As I have become more aware of power and privilege I can see that some of my freedoms are not available to others in the world. Some may even have the impact of less freedom for others. For any transgressions – I am sorry, please forgive me, thank-you.(part of Hawaiian Ho’oponopono mantra/meditation)