When was the last time you ran in an open field with your arms wide open? When did you last embrace the world like it was all yours? Is day dreaming something you are still guilty about?
The question is, in this so called free world, are you really free? Free from your own shackles or have you managed to entangle yourself to such a great extent that you feel trapped within?
Though growing up comes with its share of responsibilities, we tend to overlook the freedom it offers. Consciously or unconsciously we restrict ourselves from living life to the fullest. Desires and passions take a back seat as we run faster and faster to catch up in the rat race. The new job, the promotion, the fancy car and the ego boosting title next to your name all seem very alluring but eventually steal you of yourself.
Think about it, what will really set you free? To me, freedom is a state of mind and cannot be achieved through materialistic pursuits. One needs to introspect, detect what is holding them back and then consciously acknowledge and let go of their fears and emotional baggage. A state of mind needs to be achieved where you permit yourself to live wholeheartedly in each and every moment.
Here are a few little things that can make a big difference.
Sip Your Morning Tea Slowly
Nothing is more blissful to the mind and the soul than slowly sipping your morning tea as you watch the sun stretch its arms to embrace the sky. Take a moment every morning to acknowledge your presence, reflect on yourself and just ‘be’.
‘To-Do’ lists are never ending and rushing through your mornings will only leave you exhausted. We all know how severely our days can be affected with a bad start, can you imagine how great your day could be with a great beginning instead?
Let Go Of Your Fears
The mind is an expert at exaggerating fears and can contemplate anything and everything that can possibly go wrong. Though preparing for the worst case is important, it is rather impossible to control every aspect of tomorrow. Over indulging in your fears is like adding weights to your own shackles, it only prevents you from living freely. The mind craves imagination and the heart longs to feel emotions, both are hollow without their intimate other. Don’t let your fears be theirs to exploit.
Most of the worries of tomorrow only exist today and we are pleasantly surprised by what the future holds in store for us. Let go of your fears and embrace what comes your way. What is the use of a perfect tomorrow when you fail to enjoy the flawless today?
For Matters of the Heart, Don’t Involve the Mind
One of the most prominent areas where we consciously restrict ourselves is when it comes to the matters of the heart. From wondering what the world will think to whether the feelings will be reciprocated or not, the doubts of the mind are difficult to purge. We only add to our emotional baggage when we restrict ourselves from doing what the heart desires. Ask yourself: can you afford to wonder ‘what if...’ for the rest of your life?
Don’t hold back anymore and start living from your heart again. If it makes you smile, do it! Give your kids a good night kiss and wake them up with a hug. The teenagers might resist you, but be assured that when the teenage years fade out, these are the memories they will cherish forever.
Call that old friend you’ve been thinking about or maybe your parents who you've taken for granted all these years. Mend the holes in your heart by apologizing for your mistakes and forgiving others for theirs. Life’s too short to live in fear and too long to live with regrets.
The only way you can feel free and alive again is when you are in-sync with yourself and everything around you. Get rid of the thorns in your life by letting go of the past and not worrying about the future. Live in the present, it is the only thing that is real.
Make the quantum leap from simply existing to living each and every moment!
The question is, in this so called free world, are you really free? Free from your own shackles or have you managed to entangle yourself to such a great extent that you feel trapped within?
Though growing up comes with its share of responsibilities, we tend to overlook the freedom it offers. Consciously or unconsciously we restrict ourselves from living life to the fullest. Desires and passions take a back seat as we run faster and faster to catch up in the rat race. The new job, the promotion, the fancy car and the ego boosting title next to your name all seem very alluring but eventually steal you of yourself.
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| Photo By Instant Vantage |
Think about it, what will really set you free? To me, freedom is a state of mind and cannot be achieved through materialistic pursuits. One needs to introspect, detect what is holding them back and then consciously acknowledge and let go of their fears and emotional baggage. A state of mind needs to be achieved where you permit yourself to live wholeheartedly in each and every moment.
Here are a few little things that can make a big difference.
Sip Your Morning Tea Slowly
Nothing is more blissful to the mind and the soul than slowly sipping your morning tea as you watch the sun stretch its arms to embrace the sky. Take a moment every morning to acknowledge your presence, reflect on yourself and just ‘be’.
‘To-Do’ lists are never ending and rushing through your mornings will only leave you exhausted. We all know how severely our days can be affected with a bad start, can you imagine how great your day could be with a great beginning instead?
Let Go Of Your Fears
The mind is an expert at exaggerating fears and can contemplate anything and everything that can possibly go wrong. Though preparing for the worst case is important, it is rather impossible to control every aspect of tomorrow. Over indulging in your fears is like adding weights to your own shackles, it only prevents you from living freely. The mind craves imagination and the heart longs to feel emotions, both are hollow without their intimate other. Don’t let your fears be theirs to exploit.
Most of the worries of tomorrow only exist today and we are pleasantly surprised by what the future holds in store for us. Let go of your fears and embrace what comes your way. What is the use of a perfect tomorrow when you fail to enjoy the flawless today?
For Matters of the Heart, Don’t Involve the Mind
One of the most prominent areas where we consciously restrict ourselves is when it comes to the matters of the heart. From wondering what the world will think to whether the feelings will be reciprocated or not, the doubts of the mind are difficult to purge. We only add to our emotional baggage when we restrict ourselves from doing what the heart desires. Ask yourself: can you afford to wonder ‘what if...’ for the rest of your life?
Don’t hold back anymore and start living from your heart again. If it makes you smile, do it! Give your kids a good night kiss and wake them up with a hug. The teenagers might resist you, but be assured that when the teenage years fade out, these are the memories they will cherish forever.
Call that old friend you’ve been thinking about or maybe your parents who you've taken for granted all these years. Mend the holes in your heart by apologizing for your mistakes and forgiving others for theirs. Life’s too short to live in fear and too long to live with regrets.
The only way you can feel free and alive again is when you are in-sync with yourself and everything around you. Get rid of the thorns in your life by letting go of the past and not worrying about the future. Live in the present, it is the only thing that is real.
Make the quantum leap from simply existing to living each and every moment!
4 comments:
Excellently written .. similar thoughts often come when you take out time from your busy schedule or enjoy your time in vacations as to what life is and what are the things in it that matter to you .. and once ur back the pragmatic side of life pulls you to the same rat race with the never ending To-Do lists.. pls do write articles more frequently ..
Thank you for the kind words.
You are right, it is rather difficult to keep yourself from sinking into the never ending To-Do lists....but the fun part is to find the way out isn't it? ;)
As Nelson Mandela once sail, "After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb."
Agreed, it is about overcoming the initial fear, since taking the first step is always the hardest, yet one cannot at times gather enough courage. Be it expressing your feelings towards someone you really like or telling your best friend the tea she made is absolutely pathetic..
Personally it is more of a matter of what the other person will feel, will they be hurt? Or would it be okay to tell them and they would take it as constructive feedback? Or will they leave you alone and walk away just coz they do not like you back?
Dont get me wrong here, I am all about expression of ones self and living life care-free, but there are times when its beyond ones control, and you have to think "what if"...
You are very right my dear. I guess we can start with expressing ourselves more freely when it comes to positive feelings and make the world just a little bit happier.
For the negative feelings, when the fear of 'what if' over comes the fear of expressing ourselves or its consequences we are left with no choice but to speak our mind, politely of course.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment.
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