On Freedom

[caressa]

On freedom

"Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us."

-- Stephen Covey

A Greek myth can help us understand the freedom that comes with power of choice.

In the Underworld, Sisyphus was condemned to roll a large stone up a hill from which it always rolled down again. Realistically, he was trapped in an endless cycle of rolling the stone. When he perceived himself to be imprisoned by the curse, he was a victim.

At one point, however, he turned the tables -- he changed his mind and decided to CHOOSE to roll the stone up the hill. In doing so, he empowered himself and defused the curse.

"Freedom is what you do with what's been done to you."

-- Jean-Paul Sartre

"One cannot make a slave of a free person, for a free person is free even in a prison."

-- Plato

- Higher Awareness

[caressa]

www.answers.com/topic/freedom?cat=biz-fin

The first promise was my goal when I came into recovery. Not just freedom from my addiction, but freedom to be myself, freedom from old tapes, i.e. caring what others thought, looking for acceptance and validation from others, etc.

[caressa]

The first step to freedom; A difficult tasks
Can only be taken if you lower the masks
That hide all the shame, the pain, and the fears
Held deep down inside you for so many years.


Do you think that you're ready to take that first step?
The first step to freedom; to life at its best
It may seem so easy, so simple a test
To let go of deception; to let go of the rest.

Step One - to admit, to surrender, to dare
To face who you are and openly share
The person within with all those who care
Family and friends; the support that is there.

Honesty, hard work and prayer will prevail
In achieving a victory clean
Over denial and self pity, anger and fear
If openness, willingness and acceptance appear.

So hold out your hand and patiently wait
For the moment you enter into God's loving gate
One step at a time, for it is never too late
To walk into freedom; to determine your fate.

Once this step has been taken, and freedom you find
Hold tightly the promise of a life so divine
Not a life of perfection, please keep this in mind
But a life through good choices,
Has gained peace of mind.

by Lois Stargratt