New Years is my favorite holiday of the year. I get filled with a huge sense of optimism, creativity and imagination. Rather than getting overwhelmed with New Year’s Resolutions, I tend to think about the major ways in which I want to use my life for good.
This year, my overwhelming purpose is to use my skills, creativity and imagination to inspire freedom through work in as many people as I can. I will do this through writing, blogging, coaching, teaching and presenting. As a way to kick-start this process, this month’s ezine article is on 12 Ways to Feel More Free in 2007. The full scoop is here. Here are the highlights:
If there is any defining value in my life, it has to be freedom.
I define living a life with freedom as acting with joy, not obligation, honest expression, responsibility for choices and not taking direction from any external oppressive force.
I learned to truly appreciate freedom after having some life experiences where I gave up my freedom and allowed myself to feel trapped, oppressed, resentful, afraid and smothered. What I learned from that experience is that I was the only one who could grant myself freedom. No one can oppress you without your permission.
Here are some areas in which you can feel more free this year:
- Freedom from comparing yourself to others
- Freedom from unhealthy relationships
- Freedom from regret
- Freedom from clutter
- Freedom from financial chaos and dread
- Freedom from drama
- Freedom from couch or computer butt
- Freedom from a manic pace
- Freedom from perpetual dissatisfaction
- Freedom from the elusive dream
- Freedom from playing small
- Freedom from work you detest
When my husband was a little boy, his grandpa would wake him up before the sun came up and lead him outside. Facing east, he would take out a bag of corn pollen and say his traditional Navajo morning prayers.
When he was done, he would say "Grandson, this is a brand new day. It has never been used, never been touched. Enjoy it. Ya at eeh. (It is good.)"
I invite you to greet the new year that way tomorrow. It is a brand new day, has never been touched, never been used. You can choose to make it a year of joy, growth, pleasure and freedom.
Ya at eeh. It is good.
Wow Pam, this was a very inspirational post. Sorry my response is a little late, but I love the allure of New Years just the same as you! It is an invitation to make some great promises to yourself again. Thank you for sharing the beautiful story about your husband’s grandfather. “Grandson, this is a brand new day. It has never been used, never been touched. Enjoy it.” That’s a great outlook.
Terrific post, Pamela. Once in a while we all need to shake up our souls and start new. This list gives us the chance to do so. Thanks for the inspiration.
Wow, thanks for all your great comments everyone – this is going to be a wonderful year!
Please do share your progress with us in each of these areas. I have found that the more we keep each other focused and on track, the more likely we are to accomplish our goals.
-Pam
Hi, Pam,
Thanks for this great post starting off the new year with positive suggestions and lots of encouragement. I have a suggestion for number 7 (I was going to call it a “small suggestion”, but then I remembered number 11): I love your idea to “Do a sit up or two while watching television” – my idea: why not use the adverts as your personal exercise time?
Have a great 2007
– AJ 🙂
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Be nice if we could add “Freedom from advertising” … but it probably ain’t gonna happen.
This is a great list and feeds into my own thinking process right now. I would add to it “freedom from fear.” You’ve talked about it, but it bears repeating. I have found that what keeps me a slave to work and to outmoded ways of thinking is living in fear of what lies around the corner. I am trying to give up the need to control and know what’s coming so that I can lose fear and have trust that things will work out in the end. It’s the fear that keeps me prisoner and I want to be free of that.
Pamela,
I just reread your article and I think it is the best advice I have ever seen for beginning a new year. Yes, there is something special and cleansing that occurs when the new year begins. It is a good time to embrace new ways to improve our work and personal lives. Your advice will help us all make it so. Thanks.
Hi Pam,
One of my friends suggested me your blogs a few months ago. I love every bit of your blogs. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Ganesh.
Pamela, how on earth do you know what’s in my mind – amazingly, several of the points you touched were some truths I really needed to face – I was astonished at seeing them there in plain black and white. Thanks again, you are talented indeed. Sincerely,
Cristina
Amen. If these things truly materialize even half way, it will be a good year.
Bonne année 2007 from France , where your advice on freedom(s)is very applicable … and very necessary for those who want to “escape from cubicle” !
dear pam, i recently stumbled upon your blog and i LOVE it. i lover your energy and your wise words. looking forward to many more in 2007! happy new year!
cheers,
sbg*
It certianly is good! Thanks for making it that much better – can’t wait to see what you’re up to in 2007!
Compelling! Cheers!d
I am regularly amazed at your ability to write an article that is displayed to the world yet seems like you’re talking just to me.
Hi Pam. I am reading your blog now for yet a while and I could not say that one of your articles was not good. Very inspirational thoughts with this one being very special and helpful. If I’d want to exaggerate I’d say that it has the qualities of a spiritual teaching but I just want to say that it is very very good. May God bless your 2007 and the work of your hands just as he has done in 2006. Best wishes
Excellent post with a real message, not just another one of those “make your goals for 2007!” articles. Your comments about appreciating freedom after having felt trapped, resentful, and afraid in the past really resonate with me. I have, by most definitions, a great life and a good career, yet I’ve let my own fears and anxieties hold me back both personally and professionally for so many years that I’m just tired of it. It’s so easy to dwell on what’s wrong, what other people think of you, etc, etc, until you don’t appreciate all the good things and good fortune most of us have.
Thanks for this post, Pamela. It is refreshing to read and meditate these thoughts often. I would like to add that when one follows this advice, one FLOWS. It´s that feeling of FLOWING (at work, relationship,…) what makes you say ¨ya at eeh¨. Have a wonderful 2007!!
Pam, this is great advice to live by. For the ultimate example in living a life of freedom, just watch a child…they seem to have it all figured out much better than us adults! Have a happy new year, and I wish you all the best in 2007!