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July 2002 What do you Need for a Free and Happy Life? by Barbara Schiffman

Thomas Jefferson said, "It is neither wealth nor splendor, but tranquility and occupation, that gives happiness."

Jefferson knew about happiness. As one of our country's founders, he left oppression and restriction behind in England to create his own happiness in the New World. By signing the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson affirmed the pursuit of happiness as an inalienable right of all Americans.

As you celebrate our country's independence this month, you might also ponder what gives you happiness and makes you feel free in your life today. Not everyone in the world has the luxury of happiness and freedom––a sad situation we're more keenly aware of now than a year ago.

This July, reflect on what it means to experience freedom in your life––the freedom to have private thoughts, to express your emotions, to be productive, to choose a spiritual practice that's meaningful to you, to connect with other people based on choice and common interests rather than heritage, duty or economics.

What do you need to feel free & happy in your life?
For me, freedom and happiness are inextricably linked. When I feel free and independent, I'm happier than when I feel obligated to demanding people, debts, limitations and energy-drains. And it is then easier for me to support others' freedoms and happiness, too.

What do you need to feel free today?
Sometimes it's as simple as a lack of stress. I often ask myself "What can I to do to take the pressure off today”––a profound yet practical question my coach-friend and mentor Cat Williford once asked as I struggled with too much to do and too little time. I "hear" Cat asking it in my head whenever I've stretched myself to the limit again. When I identify at least one obligation, project, task or event I'm willing to let go of, delegate or postpone, it instantly frees up my energy, my focus and my heart. I then need to take action to release the internal &/or external pressure––but when I do a weight is literally lifted from my heart and I can breathe again.

What do you need to feel free tomorrow?
Thomas Leonard, a mentor-coach and the founder of Coach U and Coachville (an online resource network for coaches), urges the creation of "reserves" in all areas of life. This is truly a revolutionary concept for those of us who struggle with just having enough for today! Imagine life with a financial reserve––you'd be unlikely to worry about paying bills or seek "financial security" through a job you hate. When we have a reserve of supportive people in our lives, we don't need to do anything to get approval, love or acceptance because it's around us all the time. When we have a reserve of time, we can be creative and do what we want whenever we want. We also don't need to wait for weekends or vacations to have fun––we can be playful and inspired all the time!

By giving ourselves the freedom to take the pressure off and to tap into our reserves as needed, we can become truly free to live in the present as we plant worthwhile seeds for our future. We can take bigger risks, experiment more, help others without needing anything in return, and feel free to share our unique contributions with the world.

So let July be your Independence Month as you consider: What do you need in your life to be free?

©2002 Barbara Schiffman

Barbara Schiffman, Life Design and Active-Intuition coach in Burbank, works with highly creative and spiritual people who seek deeper connections with their intuitive inner wisdom on practical actions to fulfill their unique life purpose. Barbara teaches in-person workshops and teleclasses on using Voyager Tarot to "Become Your Own Intuition Coach” and using the Horoscope as an evolutionary map of personal physics to "Quantum-Shift Your Life.” 818-623-7277 or 800-306-8290 • EvoLuminus@aol.com, or visit www.iNetCoaching.com/bschiffman.