a free spirit

Who doesn't love Maria's outspoken joy and vitality in The Sound of Music?
Or when she twirls around at the foot of the Alps:



To me, Maria was the epitome of a joyful, free spirit.

My friends and family have always told me I was born with a free spirit.

Growing up, I didn't even try to meet others' expectations -- I was truly an unhindered, free spirit -- sometimes to an unhealthy degree, where I wasn't responsible in the everyday things of life. I brought a lot of heartache to myself and others. But also great joy and fullness. I lived deeply and passionately, experiencing things that some people only dream of.

Over the years, my free spirit was slowly smothered.
Maybe it was due to the subtle decline into
meeting others' expectations for approval and acceptance,
also to an unhealthy degree at times.
Especially in the past two decades or so; in my 30's and 40's.

Some was due to trying to achieve "Christian reserve,"
as the Anabaptists call it --
a very valuable character trait in their eyes.
The thinking is that it's prideful to express yourself
so we have to strive to be "sober" in personality (i.e., somber).
It's looked down upon to laugh loudly
or to express too much emotion.
Sometimes it would even be preached from the pulpit.
Very repressive.
It seems so absurd now, looking back.

But, over the years, through our many different life experiences,
I've learned that it comes down to balance,
as my loving Uncle Butch has reminded me in the past.
I'm learning the meaning of TRUE freedom.

I'm getting my free spirit back
and becoming joyful and passionate about life once again.
I made the mistake of throwing out the "good" while throwing out the "bad."


Another free spirit:

When I read the Psalms, and come across the word "delight,"
this is what I've always pictured --
Snoopy dancing with his head up and his arms out.
Pure delight and freedom.
A free spirit.

Linking up with Imperfect Prose today!

Also Be-Bop-A-Blog-Hop.

Spiritual Nourishment (Real Freedom)

"There is only one thing that will set us free,
and that is the truth.
Yet that is the one thing we have a hard time dealing with."
J. Meyer

Equipping4impact.org

Here is some spiritual nourishment I received today that I thought I'd share. If I didn't know it was someone else who wrote it, I'd swear it was me. (Somebody done been readin' my mail!)


"It was difficult for me to face the fact that I was insecure, I didn't like myself, and I needed God's help and healing in my life. If I had refused to face the truth, I would still be in bondage. I would still be trying to please people, addicted to approval in order to keep a position that I probably would not even like. As it is, I am free. I know who I am in God apart from what I do. I want to please people, but I am not devastated if they are not pleased with me. As long as I know my heart is right, that is sufficient. If I am doing the best I can and people don't approve, what they think will have to be between them and God."

"I want approval, but I am not addicted to it. I enjoy it, but if I have to live without it, I can. I went through the pain of facing truth and change, and it brought me freedom. The only way out of bondage is to go through what we need to go through as we move toward freedom."

Prayer: "God, help me to face the truth about my life that I might be set free from any bondages that hold me back. Help me to change what needs to go".
J. Meyer


Read about one of my personal experiences in this area here.


Linking up with Sunday Citar today.