Personal freedom is an extension of the words you use

“I know but one freedom and that is the freedom of the mind.”

-Antoine de Saint-Exupery

When you hear the word FREE what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For me, I envision a girl whose unruly curls are wavering in the wind, caught behind her, laced between her outstretched hands as she runs through an open field, in an open sky, with an open heart. For me, that is what freedom looks like. That’s what it feels like. I can actually feel the warmth of the sun and the wind lick my face as I call up my “freedom.” And every time I say my mantra, I AM Free, I see this girl and see me becoming her in so many areas of my life.

I AM.

I AM are the two most powerful words we can ever use. Whatever we put after I AM comes seeking us. It’s a declaration of where we wish our lives to go. It’s a testament to how we feel. It’s evidence of where we see ourselves. These two little words are so very powerful and have the potential to cause a shift but here’s the key: our words are NOT the shift themselves. We can use our words to point in the direction we wish our lives to go. We can use our words to direct our attention toward a certain course. As Don Miguel Ruiz says in his book, The Four Agreements, “You must begin to understand what the word is and what the word does and depending upon how the word is used, the word can set you free, or it can enslave you even more than you know.”

Our words ARE powerful but our words do not have the power to cause the shift themselves if we are not connected to what we are saying. If we say, “I AM strong” but deep down doubt our physical or mental strength, we block our ability to allow the shift to occur. Our words hold the ability to set us free, yet those words alone can’t cause the shift. We must be open and willing for the shift to occur. We must be aware of what it is we are thinking and saying, both positive and negative. We must be open to new ways of thinking and speaking that are in line with where we want to be. We must FEEL what we are saying. Be connected to it. And mean it.

I AM Free. That’s my I AM mantra that I choose to consciously live by, even though I throw the word Fearless in the mix every now and again. However, over the course of the past week, I haven’t been touting that statement. Instead of “free” my I AM’s have been frequented with words like stressed, sick,overwhelmed, tired, sad. Our words are powerful, especially when we associate them with a feeling because that feeling makes it more real. When we say, “I AM stressed” we associate that with the feeling of being stressed. The reality is WE are not stressed. We are simply feeling stressed. There’s a difference. But, when we express something in the framework of “I AM” it indicates that we are owning it, wanting it and living it. And it’s much easier for most of us to be connected to the feeling of being stressed or sick than it is to freedom or strength or abundance, right?

The stronger the feeling, the strong the connection to what it is we are saying. Feeling is at the heart of our personal freedom and desires. Feeling is what we are most connected to and what makes what we say come alive.

Feeling brings our words to life.

It’s the difference between the nonchalant, “ok….” and an enthusiastic, “OK!!!” in response to making plans for the weekend with a friend. Feelings make what we say matter and when we can connect our desires and our I AM statements to a feeling, it is much easier to live from that place of truth.

Our words can set us free or they can enslave us. We can choose to elevate our language and thus elevate our lives, or, we can choose to give life to our limiting beliefs and call up our excuses. We can only serve one master. Which will you choose this week? It’s still NO Excuses NO-vember….will you take on the challenge today? How can you upgrade your words? How can you use your words to set yourself free?

Sending you the strength and courage to own the power of your words

and to know that your words matter because YOU matter.