Freedom
I love Independence Day with all its festivities and fireworks. I’m lucky because my dog, Mopsy, isn’t afraid of sounds. She doesn’t hide under the bed or pace the floors. So I am free to enjoy all the patriotic fun which is among the few happy early memories I have. While my childhood was filled with chaotic family-dynamic-fireworks, Independence Day fireworks turned what could have been chaos into an orderly and beautiful display.
Credit: Lyn Barrett, 2021 Fireworks over Lake Champlain, Westport, NY
Childhood Fourth
Every July 4th morning, my parents gave us tickets to take to the local fire department to exchange for one flag, one red-white-and-blue hat, and one cup of Breyers ice cream which we could eat right then and there, even though it would ruin our lunch most likely. Sometime in the afternoon, the local Fourth of July parade began, honestly, the best I’ve ever seen in my 70+ years of life. The most exciting part was that we, kids, had a part in it. We could dress up in red, white, and blue, pull a wagon with a paper mache Statue of Liberty, or just push our dollies in a carriage decorated in red, white, and blue streamers. It was magical – so much fun!
Fireworks
The local fireworks happened in the next town over, on the better side of the tracks, so we didn’t often get there at night. From our second floor porch, we strained to see the sparkling lights illumine the sky. Like a ballet dance exploding with energy, the grace of colors coming together then spinning wildly apart, beauty created out of darkness ripping apart the silence of the black sky. For a few moments on July 4th, I could leave behind the secrets and experience the healing power of light.
Freedom
A few days ago, I was talking to a good DW friend who told me she was planning to celebrate her freedoms this Independence Day weekend. Freedoms that have released her from her past and given her the hope, strength, and wisdom to face her future and turn it into goodness. Taking a cue from her, I’m thinking about freedoms I might want to celebrate in the same spirit, both freedoms from and freedoms to.
· Freedom from shame that doesn’t belong to me, yet follows me around like a dark cloud.
· Freedom from fear that each empowered thing I do might cause someone to hurt me.
· Freedom from despair that I will never find wholeness, because I already have.
· Freedom to acknowledge my goodness and embrace my strengths.
· Freedom to trust in relationships that deserve my trust.
· Freedom to become the person I was meant to be.
Independence
Independence Day means a lot of things to a lot of people. I am grateful to live in a nation, in spite of its many flaws, that allows me more freedoms than many other places in the world. I am grateful to have memories of Independence Day that nurture me. I am grateful that I’m able to work hard for more freedoms for me, and for others, too.
Self-Care
On this Independence Day, what do you declare yourself independent from? What freedoms do you claim, whether freedom from or freedom to? Think about it. Make a list. Turn your list into a plan. Sometimes freedoms have to be fought for, and we are fighting the good fight. Give thanks for your survival strength, one day at a time.
July Social Hangout Correction
JJ will facilitate our first Social Hangout this month on Wednesday, July 20th from 2-3 pm Eastern (1 pm Central, 12 pm Mountain, 11 am Pacific), not on July 27th, the fourth Wednesday of the month as previously advertised. Please change your calendars and attend this fun function! JJ has icebreakers planned so people can spend more time together as friends! Social Hangouts will continue monthly on the third Wednesday of the month. Thank you, JJ!
DW Subscriptions
DW subscriptions are always available by going to the DW website and clicking on the subscribe button. Subscriptions are $10 monthly, $100 annually, and scholarship by request, no questions asked. DW is for EVERYONE!
Memoir 101 Enrollments Closed
Our beginner Fall memoir class has reached maximum enrollment of eight participants so it is now closed. If you are interested in a memoir class, the 2023 Fall class will be open for enrollments in Winter 2023.
Bay View Michigan Chautauqua
I will be preaching and giving four lectures at Bay View Michigan Chautauqua on July 24-28, 2022. The theme for the week is Dissociative Identity Disorder, and the title of the sermon is “Remembering the Tough Stuff”. The lecture titles are: Dissociative What?, Pathways to Recovery, Is Forgiveness the Goal?, and Let It End Here. If you will be vacationing in the area, be sure to visit Bay View and say hello!
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Freedom lies in being bold.
~ Robert Frost
Lyn