Grateful For My Freedom

We just celebrated the fourth of July, Independence Day, for our country. We all saw friends posting pictures to social media with lots of picnics, BBQ’s, parties and concerts. When I was a kid, July 4^th meant we had big fish fries and family gatherings. We were a captive audience for family stories and history. My grandmother talked about her ancestors being slaves. She told us painful stories and how hard it was to be black in the south. She spoke of her commitment to moving our family up north to create a life of freedom for her and her children. At the time, I heard her, but I really didn’t understand everything she talked about. I was a kid, I felt free, and I wanted to eat.

What I didn’t see was how segregation and racism moved in our country, community, our schools, and in our culture. I didn’t understand how challenged women were and how held down, misused, and abused they often were. As I became an adult, my eyes opened, and it was as if my senses were flooded. It was during this time I began to see how often my family members played small, hid their gifts, wouldn’t stand up for themselves and didn’t expect life would support them.

The definition of freedom is: The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint; the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved.

This year my coaches, online communities, and I have been focused on being BOLD. As this month began, I was bathed in a field of gratitude which almost felt overwhelming. We are six months into this year, and as I reviewed my goals, I could visually see how far I have come and how the universe continues to bless my life. I have been experiencing freedom on an entirely new level. As I looked at my growth, I could see how much I have learned. This is what I want to share with you.

Bold Choices

When the year began, I stated I wanted to have my work be more visible in the world. I created a plan:

1. Create a list of people and organizations I wanted to touch
2. Add this vision to my spiritual practice daily
3. Create a vision board
4. Share my intention with friends, clients, and colleagues

Within the first three months of this year, I received 9 invitations to speak or facilitate to groups I had never interacted with in the past. My client base went up 20%. I was also invited to be part of a mastermind group with four amazing high profile women and participate in programs for women internationally. The cool thing is many of these things happened without a great deal of effort from me. All I did was dare to be bold in my declarations and focus.

Claiming Abundance

In my women’s group, AWE – The Academy of Women Emerging, our lady entrepreneurs sign up for a year to take their businesses to the next level. We have potent experts who work with the women all year long. My business partner, Jean and I, do the work with the group since we are also entrepreneurs. I love I learn as much as I teach. I want financial freedom. So, one of my goals this year was to increase my income by 20%. I have already reached this goal, and I know I will surpass it is a big way. How did I do this?

1. Looked at my finances with my accountant and set a goal
2. Paid off credit card debt
3. Increased my tithing and pay it weekly
4. Shared my pricing with new clients and am clear I give valuable service
5. Pay myself religiously

Expanding Play Time

My family worked way more than we played. There was an air of scarcity and struggle which permeated our way of being. We would gather as a family, but much of the conversation was about how hard everyone had to work and how hard it was to pay the bills. Even though I didn’t like the energy, I took it on and much of my adult life has been dedicated to more work than play. This year I made a commitment to do it differently.

1. I calendared playtime and date nights with my husband (non-negotiable)
2. I created more time to play with my children and grandchildren
3. I bought tickets to plays I thought looked like fun
4. I made girlfriend dates
5. I honored my commitment to spa days monthly

Aside from the obvious things, something else happened. I felt more relaxed, more at ease, and more joyful in every area of my life. Even when ideas challenged me, I felt centered.

I have realized my freedom consists of four things.

1. My intentionality and unwavering commitment
2. Taking action I can track
3. Creating time to play and enjoy life
4. Expanding my self-care and inviting others to join me

So, how are you doing so far this year? Are you on target with your goals? Are you experiencing freedom in mind, body, and spirit? If not, I invite you to pause, regroup, and set new intentions. You create your freedom. You create your reality. You create your growth and expansion.

If you need support, I would love to assist. You can reach me through my website here.

I have learned over the years how gratitude is a healing salve. So, every day, several times a day, I give thanks for my life, my breath, my body, my family, my friends, my work, and my abundance. Every moment I activate gratitude, it becomes crystal clear I am the freedom I have always desired.

Please know your freedom is assured. Just claim it!

Have a great summer and enjoy your freedom!

Love and Light,

Cynthia