Thoughts about freedom and seeing
How are you today?
I've been thinking about freedom and how we chose to see beyond ourselves.
What does it mean to be free? Why do some have freedom and for others it remains out of reach? In many ways, freedom begins within us. I've seen people live chained to their past and imprisoned by their own thoughts. We must remain diligent to ensure that every one of us has the freedom to be and become our best every day.
Perhaps freedom isn't something you claim or receive, and maybe William Faulkner came closer to the truth when he wrote, "We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it." If we look at freedom as something we do, the question becomes:
What will I do today that opens the doors for everyone to live their best life?
Inspiration worth sharing . . .
Have you ever had a book that you could pick up and read a snippet here and there? For me, The Art of Noticing by Rob Walker is one of those books. I wrote about his book in How to Notice Your Surroundings and have always enjoyed simply sitting and watching skies, people, or whatever captures my line of sight.
Austin Kleon, who lives in Austin, Texas, writes and draws about what he sees and how he looks at the world. Austin's a father of two young boys. an artist, and writer who speaks honestly and takes the time to explore the world around him. In this podcast, he talks about the influence of Corita Kent on his work. Corita on creativity: "Not all of us are painters but we are all artists. Each time we fit things together we are creating - whether it is to make a loaf of bread, a child, a day."
The Star-Spangled Banner became the national anthem of the USA. But I have always loved the opening lines of another song. "Oh beautiful for spacious skies..." always reminds me that we have a choice to be free, and a choice to allow others to enjoy the spacious skies of freedom. Willie Nelson, another Texan, sings America the Beautiful with simplicity and passion.
Inspiring words . . .
May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” —Peter Marshall
Be and become #yourbest today and every day.
With gratitude,
Kathryn
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