This morning, I woke with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s lyrics stuck in my head:

“Raise a glass to freedom

Something they can never take away

No matter what they tell you”

One of my gifts is always hearing a song that’s relevant to my own life stream or something going on in the world. This one is no different.

The cause of freedom is driving everything in the Universe right now: freedom from our own self-imposed limitations, freedom from large industrial problems, freedom from the tyranny of all sorts of institutions….all sorts of freedoms. The beginning of this year (2024) was full of revolution energy, in small ways and in big, and we’re still moving in that space.

As humans, we have the power to choose freedom (or not). Even if it’s just a miniscule thing – “I won’t wear a shirt today” – or something big – “I am moving to a faraway place today” – we have the ability to make choices and changes that offer us a sense of freedom. Maybe the choice lies in choosing to be more confident or empathetic; maybe the choice lies in changing how we respond to situations and circumstances in our lives.

The thing about freedom, much like happiness, is that it’s an inside job. That means that only we can make ourselves feel free and no one can take that away (if you don’t allow them). There’s empowerment there, but we have to find it within. Granted, there are situations in life where some may be literally stripped of their freedoms, yet I hope it is possible for the people in those circumstances to find small ways to create freedom in their minds.

Another thing about freedom is that it’s about our mindset. Think and feel into the energetic difference of these two statements: “I have to make dinner for my kids tonight” and “I get to make dinner for my kids tonight”. The change of one word changes the entire vibration of the statement, and that’s how perception can change, too. Changing our mindsets is probably one of the most challenging parts of being human, yet it can totally transform our human experience. Think about how often you say, “I can’t”. What if you changed it to “I can’t yet” or “Maybe I can”? Can you find the freedom in the change from “I can’t” to “I can”? It’s empowering! And that’s one of the things we’re here to learn and to be: empowered and free.

Perhaps one way to start thinking about freedom in our own lives is to approach life with curiosity. Instead of making assumptions about how things are or will be, maybe we could approach them with one simple question: “What would it be like if…?” “What would it be like if I could plant carrots for my family?” “What would it be like if I reframed ‘I can’t’ in my mind?” “What would it be like if I took a walk today?” “What would it be like if I learned a new language?” “What would it be like if I encouraged someone my coworker instead of judging them?” “What would it be like if I changed the tone of my voice?” “What would it be like if I took a nap today while I’m extra tired?” “What would it be like if I went to bed early and got up early?” “What would it be like if I said, ‘Thank you’?” “What would it be like if I gave my younger self a hug?” “What would it be like if….?” The possibilities are endless, and the possibility for feeling free and being free is infinite. Maybe try it for yourself?