In past July articles, I have focused on the historic and political parts of our dear country. However, I am taking a different approach in this article as it is more up close and personal.

I asked myself this question, “What makes me feel free in my daily activities?” Here are a few of mine. I welcome you to ponder on what they are for you.

First, I am fortunate to live around a large lake and lushly- landscaped surroundings. I often take my walks around this. Since I love nature and am feeling peaceful when I am around it. I am blessed to enjoy this every day. I count that as a freedom feeling. 

Also around this area are the geese, the ducks, the bullfrogs, the bunnies, the birds, and other wildlife. They renew my feelings of being free like they are. I like watching the bald eagle from his high perch in one of our trees suddenly fly down into the lake and scoop up a fish. His sharp eyes and swift action remind me to be alert but graceful and easy.

Then there are the elk. The young bucks have grown their racks, now covered with a fuzzy coating. They saunter effortlessly and comfortably into our neighborhood. Their massive strong ambling bodies with an average weight of 450-650 pounds as adults. They tell me they are not worried about me being around. Still, I caution myself that they are wild animals, and to respect their freedom, by keeping my distance from them. This reminds me that respecting others’ space too is part of freedom.

Yesterday I saw that one has one antler bent forward. Inspecting him closer I see he still grazes like the others but must bend his head to the side to nibble at the grasses and clover. He doesn’t seem to mind, which reminds me not to fuss over the wrinkles in my life. But to feel free I must become adaptable and flexible in situations that alter my accustomed way of living. 

I notice the ducks, and curiously enough, it appears that they are in groups or in twos. This reminds me of the freeing feelings that companionship and safety in having a friend to waddle around with in life is, and I imagine this is why I often see two together. I notice the waterfowl swooping down to catch their breakfast. They are excellent fishermen and with ease, grace, and sharp vision they can find food plentifully. I use this image to encourage me to excel in what my heart loves and to trust the unexpected things that life brings me, rather than trying to control it.

I see children running around in the lake park, and I smile cherishing the gifts their laughter brings me and the genuine happy way they are skipping and running around. 

And a walk could not be complete without the doggies, that bring their masters along for the lake journeys. I feel happy to pet them and with a nod from their owners offer them a little treat. It brings a smile to my heart to share with man’s -and woman’s- best friends. 

As I pause to stop at a park bench, I rest easy and feel the cool zephyr breezes wafting over my face. What a delightful freeing feeling. I think of how the simplest gestures from nature can give us a freeing feeling. I gaze out and see a couple in a boat on the lake just sitting quietly with each other. I am touched by the gentleness they are sharing freely.

I feel free when a friend confided in me her deep heart feelings and her dreams of tomorrow. I sense the deeper meaning of heart connections and the value of sharing. I find intrinsic value in gal friends sharing fun times together.

A short time ago, I was walking down the street and saw a humorous sight at the crosswalk corner. A group of geese were slowly crossing the street. The traffic had all stopped respectfully to allow them to cross (an unwritten rule here) and even a bicyclist was waiting for them all to cross. The street sign in the back of this exodus read “15 mph”. I amused myself thinking these geese are taking a very long time to cross this street. They are not going to make it up to the required 15 mph. It looked like it would take them a lot longer to make it to the other side. Yet, everyone sat patiently and waited for them to cross at their own slow sauntering pace, even the straggler who started back and then came back along with the “gang of geese.” It pleased me that we respected their slow gait to cross the street, and yet sometimes we get impatient with humans if they are not moving fast enough. This experience of their crossing reminded me of how I can feel freer when I am not trying to rush things in my day and how being patient brings moments of peace.

And as the day brings the night and I say my evening prayers, I am thankful to have the freedom of choosing my way to connect with my creator. I know many of us are feeling blessed in our unrestful world to know we can experience our place of peace within our hearts and are thankful to those who keep us safe. 



We can also send that blessing out for everyone to feel the freedom of unconditional love and oneness. I am wishing for you to have a peace-filled life and be thankful for our personal freedoms each day.