Empathy, Sympathy, Guilt and Obligation

Image by Maria Chambers

When we talk about wanting to feel free, wanting to be ourselves, we need to look at the ways we have not felt free.

Coming Out

Art by Maria Chambers

(Author’s note:  You may have noticed that I have been publishing more frequently than usual.  While on ‘vacation’ last month, I ended up feeling inspired and writing more than expected.  Consequently I have a few posts in the queue.)

I have a dear friend who I have known for almost 50 years.  I witnessed him going through, and helped him through the toughest times in his life.  The time he began embracing his homosexuality.  It couldn’t have been easy, dissolving a five-year marriage to a woman, and being misunderstood, even rejected by those he was closest to.  And living as someone who is only a shadow of who he really is for all those years.

It’s A Nice Place To Visit…

Image Credit Pixabay.com

Most people wait until the weekend, or until they retire, which is at the absolute end of their physical lifespan…to just enjoy life. And even then, most truly don’t know how to enjoy life.  They never did.  Admittedly, it took me a long time to allow myself to begin to enjoy life, and not just at designated times.

Martyrdom Is Dead

Artwork by Maria Chambers

Maybe you are disguising it in terms like, “wanting to be of service to others, and to humanity.”  Wanting to “be there” for friends and family.

This will not lead you to your freedom, any more than it will help anyone else.