The Costs of Freedom!

"Everybody has his own way and must be allowed the freedom to pursue it." 

Leo Buscaglia from the book, Love

This statement rang loudly in my spirit when I read it.  It's a very simple, yet powerful statement.  As someone who strives daily to protect my spiritual and emotional freedom, I totally understand that we all need the freedom to become who we were created to be.  We need the personal space and room to introspectively look at our lives and determine the best path for us.  We need the courage to tap into our creativity and produce our own works of art with our lives.  We need an atmosphere of acceptance that encourages us to be ourselves in the midst of a society that encourages us to look, sound and be like everyone else.  We need to be free.

Nevertheless, I'm also very aware, as I read this statement, that freedom comes at a price.  Often, we pay for our freedom with isolation, loneliness, and being misunderstood.  Yet, none of that should take away our freedom.  If anything, we should embrace these as the cost and consequences for being free.  We should realize that we live in a world, among many people who are not free, who reject their own path to liberation and try to make us uncomfortable with our own freedom.  

But, true freedom also comes at another cost.  Freedom doesn't just mean that we do what we want to do in spite of others.  Freedom means we do what's right in spite of what seems or feels right.  Freedom means we reject materialism to place importance on things with higher purpose.  Freedom means that we align our emotions with truth, so that we don't end up flailing through life without direction.  Freedom means that we submit to a higher power and purpose to guide our lives so that our minds and spirits remain in tune with what God is calling us to be.  

As we enter the last month of this year, I challenge you to consider the costs and continue to live in and embrace your freedom with a zealous pursuit of your purpose!

~MBisFree

Margaret A. Brunson

Walking in your Natural F.R.E.E.D.O.M.

This past Saturday, I delivered the Women's Day Prayer Breakfast message at Galilee UMC in Laurinburg, NC.  God has placed this in my spirit and I'm walking everyday to live this!  Everything that manifest in the natural realm, begins with a conversation in the spirit realm.  So, today, I am beginning a new conversation in my spirit that you and I will learn to walk in our natural F.R.E.E.D.O.M.

Walking in your Natural F.R.E.E.D.O.M.

Face your fear & accept God's love

- The Bible talks about how perfect love casts out all fear and that there is no fear in love.  Once we accept God’s love, we’re able to move fear out of the way because we realize that as long as God loves us nothing can harm us.  Nothing will ever separate us from God’s love, so fear has no place in our minds and hearts.

Real about where you are (Be...)

- Often, we try to hide where we are spiritually.  We have gotten used to pretending. We try to make people believe that we have it altogether and that we are right where we want to ne with God.  We might be able to fool people, but we can’t fool God.  God knows exactly where we are and wants to meet us there, but He wants us to be honest.  When we come before God in honesty, it humbles and opens our spirit.

Emotions vs. Truth (learn to separate)

- One of the biggest hindrances to our walking in faith and freedom is our emotions.  Sometimes, we allow our emotions to control our actions.  While I believe that we should pay attention to our emotions, I also think that there are times when our emotions are contrary to God’s truth.  As believers who desire to walk in freedom with Christ, we have to learn how to cast down certain barriers (feelings, emotions) that desire to keep us from understanding who god is in us. And hold too high of a place in our lives.

- The Message version of 2 Corinthians 10:5 states: We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.

- One powerful God tool that exposes the truth to us is God's word. We can read the word of God and know truth and truth will set us free. Free from emotional bondage.

Expect change & accept it

- everyday things are changing around us. Small things to big things. And I've learned that many people/human beings don't do well with change.

- Reason is because they don't expect change. 

- When you remain in a place of expectancy then when things begin to happen and shift it will not come as such a big surprise. We should constantly expect God to move in us and around us. Sometimes the changes aren't what we asked for or God will answer our prayers in a totally unexpected way. That's ok. We have to roll with and keep the faith that it's all working for our good (Romans 8:28).

Ditch behaviors that keep you bound

- negative talk

- overindulging

- procrastination

- what are yours?

Own your destiny & your dreams

-I've had times in my life when I worried about how I'd make things happen.  I had doubts about how I was going to get it done

- Sometimes, we get stuck there.  We worry and we pray but we don't move. We don't respond to our faith with action. We pray but don't see answers right in front of us that will help us get what we need.

- We have to own our destiny and our dreams!  We need to allow God's power to work within US to make things happen.

Move forward in grace (mistakes and all)

- And even once we've done everything "right," there are times when we still feel like we've lost or we mess up and make mistakes.  But God is faithful to forgive and help us start again.  We can be comforted by God's grace, knowing that we are allowed a clean slate with Him to move forward!

Be Kind to Yourself!!

Sooo, hey y'all!  

It's been a while since I posted and that's because my life has been so busy!  

I wanted to share a few things with you.  Recently, I made a decision to commit to my overall HEALTH.  Committing to being healthy for me means physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally!  I realize that I am healthier in some areas than others, but it all works together for total health and wellness.  Unlike diets, resolutions and fads, this commitment is to a lifelong process; a daily mindfulness of my health and what I need to remain healthy!

This is the journey I'm on and I'm starting to "get" a few simple lessons that I'll share with you a little at a time:  

1.  Be kind to yourself!  When we put any and everything in our mouths, don't give our bodies enough water, rest and nutrients, we are not being kind to ourselves.  We deserve better!  I felt truly convicted when I thought about how I often encourage people to love themselves and find purpose in their lives, when I was not loving my body completely!

I decided to do a detox in Jan from refined and artificial sugars that changed my life.  The detox helped me see the dependence I was placing on sugar for comfort and stress relief.  Now, I'm able to put it in proper perspective now and practice moderation.  I was so surprised when I went to get frozen yogurt to celebrate the end of my detox that I didn't even want it!  It was too sweet!  This is an incredible change for me.  I know that I don't NEED sugar to "feel" better or de-stress.  My chronic sinus inflammation and congestion has even improved because of this release from the dependence on sugar.  

Bottom line: This phase of my journey is teaching me that throughout my everyday life that I need to be kind to myself!  I need to love myself, my body, my mind and my spirit the way that God loves me!  

The Resolution...a Resolute Life

I did a little grocery shopping today...as I observed everyone purchasing their beverages, renting their Redbox movies and preparing for their New Year's Eve festivities, I thought about how focused and determined we seem to be.  We seem to be determined to say farewell to the end of one year and happy to welcome the beginning of a new one.  Many of us are clearing out junk from our homes, cleaning our cars, and reorganizing our closets in anticipation of a new year.  

There's something about a new year that causes us to reflect.  We think about what we've accomplished or endured during the current and what goals we'd like to accomplish during the next year.  We become more determined to make changes.  Fitness centers across the country are preparing for the swarm of new members all resolving to lose weight and get their "sexy back."  Others are making resolutions to focus more on bettering themselves or working harder on their jobs.  Some are contemplating starting a new business.  But, because of our humanity, behaviors are so difficult to change.  Therefore, in reality, by March or April (Feb. for some), most of us will lose steam and give up on our pursuit of our zealous new year's resolution.

This year, I've decided to make only ONE resolution.  And, it's really not a resolution at all.  It's a proclamation.  

I proclaim that in 2013, I will maintain a resolute life in mind, body and spirit.  I will keep a spirit of determination and purpose.  I will make choices about food, nutrition and exercise that are mindful and serve my purpose. I will read and increase my knowledge in areas that are important for my work and calling.  I will treat my relationships with family and friends as part of my purpose and nurture them as often as possible.  I will strive to make every decision one of purpose.  I will not do things for the sake of doing them.  I will live in the present, but always remember what I'm here for.  God has blessed me with insight into His purpose for my life.  So, for me to responsible for my own destiny and purpose, I must maintain a resolute (determined, purposeful) life.  

That's it.  

I'm thankful for 2012 and now, 2013...let's go!  

embracing new growth in a new year, 

MBisFree

resolute

ADJECTIVE 

1. 

having determination: possessing determination and purposefulness

2. 

characterized by determination: motivated by or displaying determination and purposefulness

***Join me Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013 in Fayetteville, NC for the FIRST stop on The Purposeful Roots Book Tour!!!***

Stop the Itch

Recently, I’ve dreaded “wash day” more than ever.  That’s the day when I wash my hair.  The reason I’ve dreaded it more lately is because of the time it takes.  After going to school full-time, working and doing the many other things I do on a weekly basis, the thought of washing, conditioning, deep conditioning, detangling, moisturizing and styling my hair is a little unnerving. 

So, I’ve been waiting about 3 weeks between washes (usually I wash my hair once/week)!  Lately, in between washes, my scalp has been a little itchy.  Because I’m not cleansing/moisturizing my hair & scalp as often, both are pretty dry.  But, instead of washing my hair to soothe the scalp and stop the itch, I’ve been using oils on my scalp just to stop the itch.  The itch stops but sooner or later, it comes back.  The oil is only a temporary solutions.  But, guess what I do?  I put more oil on my scalp!  After a while, I have oily, dirty hair with an itchy scalp....a mess!!  Nothing will truly soothe the scalp and ease the itch like going through the process of “wash day.” 

As I stood in church this morning, I thought about how wonderful God is...and then my scalp started to itch!  lol  At this very moment, I thought to myself, “It’s time to wash your hair Margaret.  Just wash your hair and it will stop the itch.”  Then, I was reminded that sometimes, in our lives, we go through things unnecessarily, because we are avoiding the process that will make it better.  We know what to do, but for whatever reason, we cannot get motivated to “wash our hair” (whatever that means for you).    Instead, we keep trying to resolve the problem with temporary solutions.  When we finally realize that the only way to resolve the problem is to take the right action, we still try to apply temporary solutions.  But, at the point of consciousness, we should take action.  I've heard that when we know better, we do better.  But, that's not always the case.  Even though it's easier said than done, in order to get results and be where we want to be, we have to go through the process.  Because at some point, you get tired of scratching your head!!!

:-)

Embracing New Growth,

MBisFree

Think What You Want To Think

Recently, I read an article that included an excerpt from Marianne Williamson’s new book, titled The Law of Divine Compensation: On Work, Money, and Miracles (to be released in November 2012).  As I read the article, my spirit was awakened by the concepts that she discussed.  One sentence really grabbed my attention and I wanted to share it with you:

“Enlightenment is not a process we work toward, but a choice available to us in any instant.”

So many of us are constantly seeking and searching for answers and the truth.  We are on a path towards enlightenment and understanding about the things in and around us.  We go through difficulties and we begin to pray and ask for answers and understanding.    Marianne Williamson discusses that enlightenment is the answer to every problem.  She explains that in every situation, “where you seem to be at the effect of forces over which you have no control, remember that God dwells within your mind, and there are no forces over which He has no control. Therefore, through His power within you, there are no mortal conditions over which you are powerless.” 

WOW!  This IS enlightenment.  It kind of reminds me of Ephesians 3:20.  It helped me remember that enlightenment takes place when we continuously realize that God is in our minds, hearts and spirits and that God is in full control.  So, we are never to feel helpless, hopeless, and destitute or despair.  Sure, our human nature doesn't allow us to avoid these emotions.  But, this enlightenment or reminder of God’s love should help us resolve those feelings and continue to move forward to conquer and overcome.  And, as we dwell on that love from God, we begin to invite goodness into our lives.  We begin to see things from a different perspective.  We begin to approach our relationships, work, family, money and other values differently. 

And at the end of the day, we realize that we are loved (by God) and that’s all that matters! 

Read the entire article at:  http://spiritualityhealth.com/articles/excerpt-law-divine-compensation-marianne-williamson

Choose.

I'm not sure who created this image, but I got it from the "My Renewed Mind" page on Facebook.  I love this image because it shows the power of choice and perspective.  I really believe that our lives can be just this easy.  We can choose to be happy and free throughout any situation. 

 

I prefer the word JOY over happiness because joy is something that isn't temporal or tempered by life's circumstances.  You know, life tends to just happen TO us sometimes.  But, through the fearless lens of freedom, we may start to see that life is happening THROUGH us!  We can choose to turn obstacles into challenges that will strengthen our faith and hope muscles.  We can see hardships and heartache as opportunities to test our ability and willingness to love.

 

What is happening in your life and the lives of those you love that you need to view through the fearless lens of freedom?  Will you choose today to be joyful and free?

 

Embracing New Growth,

Margaret

www.margaretabrunson.com