The Fourth of July is certainly a time to congregate and celebrate our liberties, our history, and our patriotism.
While I love the parades, picnics and flag waving, I am less enthusiastic about fireworks. Part of it I’m sure has to do with my dog, Gracie, who quivers and pants inconsolably during fireworks and thunder. If only I could press the “mute” button and chill to the spectacle of color and creativity dancing above. But instead, as it happened last night, I ended up hunkered on the couch with Gracie burrowing in my lap as we endured a fearsome round of fireworks set off by a traveling carnival down the street.
But this time, instead of just waiting it out, I decided to distract myself. With every boom of flashing light, I murmured a freedom I am especially grateful for this year. Things like:
- I’m grateful for the freedom to choose work I love, to live in a home I love, with people (and pets!) I love
- I’m grateful for the freedom to fail and try again, to ask for help when I need it, and to listen and trust the innermost whispers of my being, and
- I’m grateful for the freedom to write and publish my book even if I am the only one who hears my story.
I wasn’t sure if my list made Gracie feel better but I do know it made me feel fuller.
And, as we waited out the final crescendo fireworks, I also told Gracie some things I’m still working to be free of. Things like:
- Not taking it personally when a client or friend doesn’t return my call right away,
- Feeling like I can’t be happy unless everyone around me is also happy, and,
- Not feeling guilty when I say no to an invitation or request.
At about 10:30 p.m. the fireworks stopped firing, Gracie stopped panting, and both of us tumbled into our respective beds.
So, dear reader, as we celebrate this Independence Day, tell me:
- What freedoms are you celebrating this week?
- And what freedom would you like to claim for yourself this year?
Hi Cheryl, thank you for your words of wisdom…they are always so insightful and thought provoking.
I celebrate the freedom to explore what I want to do next in my career – which involves pausing, reflecting, questioning, answering and more of the same! Not something I’ve done in a really really long time.
I would like to claim the freedom to say “no” more often (without feeling guilty), especially if saying “no” means better self care.
HI Michele. Thanks for taking time to write and reflect and share your beautiful truths.
Yes – we are so fortunate as Americans and as women living in America in this time that we can indeed choose our careers. Though I totally get how scary that can be. But it’s a freedom to celebrate for sure.
And you have lots of company in your desire to be free to say no more often.
Maybe you can practice this holiday weekend and take especially good care of yourself!
Best,
Cheryl
Cheryl , I wanted you to know I always love reading your blogs! Keep them coming! Happy 4th!
Bernadette
Thanks, Bernadette. I love knowing that folks are reading and enjoying them. That’s the point!
Look forward to catching up with you properly offline. Hope all is well.
Happy 4th (and 5th and 6th…) to you too!
Cheryl
I am celebrating both my husband and a dear friend retiring from the military and all the men and women of the armed forces and their famines who also go through so much to support them and all the freedoms we have.
I would like to claim the freedom to not feel guilty and to say no more often when that’s the best thing for me.
Thank you for your beautiful tribute to those who serve to preserve our freedoms, Bernadette. It’s so important to remember the people who make the fireworks and parades possible.
And here’s to saying No without the guilt!
Thanks for sharing.
I celebrate being blessed enough to live in this country.
Yes. There’s no place like home. Thanks, Kristen.
Cheryl: thank you for reminding us how fortunate we are to have freedom. I am reminded almost daily that women are still trying to reclaim and reaffirm their repeoductive rights in this country.
You are so right, Teresa. It’s good to celebrate how far we’ve come and it’s important to recognize how far we still have to go. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your holiday.
Cheryl