Imagine that you are an athlete running in the 400-meter relay. As soon as your companion runs astride you, you get hold of the stick, kick your heels free, and surge ahead to victory. Or imagine that you are finding your way through the forest. As soon as you catch a glimpse of the mountain peak, you let go of the old path and blaze new trials through the dense undergrowth. Or imagine that your parents gave you a new mountain bike. You give away your old bicycle, and break new ground with your brand new Shimano.
There is always an element of newness in life. Everyday begins with sunrise. Every month is greeted with a new page in the calendar. Every year opens with lively, at times noisy, celebration. A newborn baby in a family changes the entire atmosphere at home. A new pair of shoes brings added fun to the school as everyone tries to step on them. Fresh roses become beautiful decorations on the desks of our favorite teachers. In contrast, things that are unable to renew themselves turn into fossils and heirlooms, and are sometimes displayed in museums. Or they end up in the garbage dump, hopefully to be recycled into something else. In the same way, persons who refuse the invitation of renewal are labeled as antiquated and old-fashioned, and sometimes burden their families and communities.
Freedom is the value that accompanies our efforts towards change and renewal. When we appreciate our freedom, we find little difficulty in letting go of our old mentalities and ways of doing. Urged on by the desire to be fully ourselves, we unload ourselves of extra baggage (Talk about hurts and grudges, prejudices and biases, false and erroneous information, fears and doubts!) and walk the road of life with lightened steps. Furthermore, the thought of discovering something new and different becomes a challenge for us, an invitation to an exciting adventure, and an opportunity to grow and develop.
----- What are some of the extra baggage that you must let go? Share it with me…
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