I have a small shelf where I keep special books that have impacted me and that I intend to reread.  One of the books sitting on this shelf is Talking to Ducks by James A. Kitchens.          

Kitchens tells a story about a friend of his.  This man had a flourishing business, made tons of money, had a lovely wife and happy family, and traveled all over the world.  But he didn't feel free.  He took antidepressants each morning, a sleeping pill each night, and owed multiple creditors.  He felt trapped.  Kitchens listened to this man's story, then sat down to write what he believed could give us all freedom.

My Freedom Creed
I am truly free if I can:
               Say what I think rather than what I am supposed to say or what others want me to say
               Ask for what I want and need instead of what is acceptable to ask for
               Take risks instead of trying to protect myself and play it safe
               Feel what I really feel rather than what I ought to feel
               Know my dreams and follow them rather than do with my life what others expect me to do
               Experience my body and enjoy it
               See and hear what is here rather than what I want to be here or what is supposed to be here
               Discover my sexual values and express them rather than those others set for me
               Trust that my own inner qualities are my greatest resource for personal growth and change
               Believe that I am a Wonderful Person.

Kitchens' Freedom Creed challenged me to look at my own creed.  Do I agree with him?  Would I make changes in the wording?  Would I add others to the list?  Subtract anything.  One addition came to mind fairly quickly for me. Explore life and discover its joys.

Kitchens quotes Mother Teresa, "I think people are so preoccupied with material difficulties.  In the industrial world where people are supposed to have so much, I find that many people, while dressed up, are really, really poor."

Life is more than material success.  Are you free?  What would give you a life of freedom?  What is in your Freedom Creed?  Would you include all of Kitchens' thoughts?  What would you add to the list?  What would be at the very top of your Freedom Creed? 

    
Affirmation: I know the truth about myself. I am free because I think, speak, and live my truth.