Happy Independence Day!

While we’ll be setting off fireworks and celebrating our country’s liberty today, it also felt like a good time to light an internal sparkler or two to celebrate all the hard work we do to ensure our inner freedom.

By this I mean freedom from all the “red shoes” of negative thought patterns and behaviors, and addictions of all sorts (anger, cigarettes, beer, binge-watching Netflix) — anything that keeps us imprisoned in a state the Small Self calls “safe” but the Higher Self calls “stifling.”

This is relentless work, and can be scary as hell, because your small self will convince you all sorts of danger exists on the other side if you give up gambling, gaming or the cushy job that sucks the life out of you. And while that fear feels REALLY real, it only exists in your head.

If you’ve ever worked hard a particularly tough habit or made a decision in favor of freedom, you know the amazing buoyancy you feel when you realize you’re not a slave to it anymore. That relief and utter joy on the other side is way bigger than any fear.

Happy freedom day. Here’s to kicking off some red shoes.