The Free Range Life

There are a few swans floating along a river at where I live that I see quite often. They glide along like they have no worries in the world and are meant to run life freely on water. whenever i watch them, I'm reminded that freedom is not just a privilege; it is a necessity for thriving. The swans represent the what I refer to as the "free-range" lifestyle.

Their range is not limited to a certain location on the river, nor is it limited by the banks. Instead, they glide purposefully across the water, trailing the lines of every bend and flow.
For many of us who feel boxed in, trapped by societal norms, by career paths, or by personal doubts the thought of living like these swans seems like a far-off fantasy.

But the free-range mentality is a pretty amazing way of life to apply to our own. Stepping away from what everyone believes is “the way” and finding our own paths. To live the free-range life intentionally is not reckless. With the swans, it is not as if they are just wandering without some other goal in mind: They sense when to eat, when to rest and when to move as they follow the directions of the river flow.

In the same way, we can live with purpose by loosening our plans and being flexible with our direction as we navigate forward. Whether our career, relationship, or personal development, being set free from the never-ending constraints makes room for personal growth and success that we never thought possible. And, the free-range life also shows us to embrace uncertainty.

Like those swans have no idea what will hang around the corner of the river, we can begin to trust the journey towards goodness is as important as the destination. Rather than a deep-set fear of moving away from the familiar, we can embrace change and shake off the anxiety by making a huge leap from the uncharted territory of change, but this is only because we have the capacity to stumble in the process and learn along the way.

This is a vital approach that is necen;ssary because it takes us out of the box, out of the pen, out of the cages that we have put ourselves in, whether it be our mind, heart, or society that we are confined in. As the swans move leisurely across the water, we also will be able to move with a sense of freedom, fluidity, and intention. But our delay lies only with our unwillingness to allow for the open water in front of us.