Free yourself

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How often do we feel imprisoned by something we can't see?

...And how often is the executioner of our own prison only our own person!

We can start by doing something for ourselves. We should try not to imprison ourselves by things and with things that we shouldn't be.

We must free ourselves from the version of ourselves that only exists in us to please others.

So often we do or fail to do things or make decisions just because of what others might think, or just because of what we think others might think of us! Crazy, isn't it?

We have to free ourselves from the version of ourselves in which we always put others first and invariably put ourselves last. Anyone who knows me knows that I've never liked putting myself first. You don't have to do it in an unnatural way either. We often have to recognise the best in ourselves. And just because we have something good doesn't mean that others are worse than us. Not at all. We just have to value ourselves for something that we should be aware of and zealous about. Knowing our own value ends up becoming something that makes us more focussed and doesn't let us get sidetracked by what's important. This is not to say that we shouldn't look at what's going on around us, or that we should ignore those around us.

Free yourself from the version of yourself that keeps asking for forgiveness for other people's mistakes. Anyone who knows me knows that this is one of the faults I sometimes have. Even when I don't think I'm directly to blame, I'm probably even capable of taking it on myself, just to take the ‘burden’ off others... But this modesty is harmful. It does nothing to help me to be respected, or to be seen as more gentlemanly or more sympathetic or, if you like, more altruistic. Taking on something for which we are not responsible only makes us prisoners of something we are not.

We have to free ourselves from the version in which we only live off other people's expectations and not our own dreams. Having goals that only exist in us, so that others continue to have an image of us that conforms to the expectations we think others have, or that have been passed on to us by others, doesn't lead to a liberation of our spirit.

We don't need anyone's authorisation. Let's stop accepting less than our own worth. We shouldn't let ourselves be diminished by what someone else might tell us. Of course, this doesn't mean that we should just do what we think is best. The ability to listen to others is a virtue that should be maintained, but not at all costs. Often, others may even give advice that is valid, but not the best for us. Either because it's not possible for us to achieve that goal, or because the current situation in our lives doesn't allow us to be aligned with that goal.

I hope you enjoyed my little reflection for today.

Bem Hajam🍀

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