Freedom

I ran on the track at the gym this morning and my first thought in mile one was, "Screw sky diving--real freedom is the first run weeks after solely running with a 40 pound kid in a stroller!"

And then I started thinking about freedom in general, being the week for picnics, pool parties, and fireworks of Independence Day and all.

I thought I'd share my list.

Freedom is...

• when you stop complaining to anyone who will listen and actually do something about it.
• ending your criticisms of everything: presidents, health care, heat waves, Ann Curry, your job, other moms, Wal-Mart, your in-laws, last night's dinner, and people who read Fifty Shades of Gray. 
• beginning to see the good in all of those things. Baby steps.
• realizing that regardless of your opinion on Obamacare, you--yes YOU--have access to the best medical and holistic care in the world; that you won't die from a disease that is prevalent in other countries; that the government insisting you have a means to pay for this top-notch care doesn't mean they are going to go all North Korea on you and control every last aspect of your life. 
• embracing the multi-cultural population that is the United States; raising your kids to speak multiple languages and understand diversity instead of being afraid of it.
• having the option to leave and live elsewhere if you just can't take it.
• letting go of fear.
• accepting that maybe deep down inside, there's something you've never addressed.
• addressing it.
• when you halt the thoughts in your mind that tell you you aren't good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, rich enough, whatever enough.
• when you stop comparing yourself to everyone else.
• setting a goal and achieving it.
• setting a goal, drifting away from it, and then coming back to it.
• being all Jessica Simpson circa 2004 and singing about chicken wings and Nick Lachey: that's right--being comfortable in your own skin.
• safety; in surrounding yourself with a support system of like-minded people.
• laughing so hard your cheeks ache, you hyperventilate, your abs feel like they just finished a P90X workout, tears form in your eyes and maybe--just maybe--you pee your pants. It's laughter without reservation.
• that feeling of taking back your body after growing a human for nine months.
• keeping some aspects of your life to yourself.
• choosing to take a mental health day.

A few more miles and this list may have been a little longer. Embrace your freedoms this week. Give gratitude to those who brought them to us, and to yourself for upholding them in the way you see fit.