Intuition and Independence

Dear Reader,

Today, many of you living in the United States are celebrating Independence Day. For me, “independence” represents first and foremost an inner way of being, more fundamental than even the physical details of living independently in the world. What might independence within look like?

You are independent within if:

you are connected to your inner life, and if you experience that connection in a conscious, consistent way.

you can freely choose to accept or reject the advice of others, rather than blindly accepting or rejecting their opinions.

you follow your path, not someone else’s.

you recognize and fully experience all your emotions, rather than being controlled by their hidden influence.

you are consciously aware of your beliefs, and are willing to question whether they work well for you.

when a belief no longer works well for you, you are willing to do what it takes to replace it.

you can recognize your habitual thinking and consciously redirect it.

you are willing to balance your head and your heart in making major life choices.

you have confronted your own physical mortality, and even if not fully comfortable with it, are willing to accept it as a force in your life.

you access and act upon your intuition, and give its voice priority over all others.

you are willing to do what it takes, when you do struggle to recognize your intuition, to remove the obstacles blocking you from hearing (or seeing, or feeling) it.

you have considered what spirituality means to you, and continue to explore it as you feel called.

you are aligned in thought, word and action.

you are willing to love fully, and allow yourself to be loved fully.

you define “independence within” your way – not mine!

Quite a list, isn’t it? And for me at least, it certainly gives  new meaning to Independence Day.

Of course, this list is only a start. I offer it not as a destination to be reached, but a life-long process to experience. Feel free (no pun intended) to use it as a jumping-off point for your own reflection. If you have any items to add – please leave a comment!

I honor your loving heart,

John