Definition of Freedom

"The ability to have or not have
what you want without it
closing your heart."
Stephen Levine, Who Dies?

During this time of grief and sorrow. During this time of shock, our hearts can freeze with fear, drown with tears, or burn themselves out with anger and rage. During this time of woe and quiet desperation, the mumblings of freedom are uttered, while shouts of safety understandably rage like wild fire.

May we not give what the terrorists wish for: our freedom and our capacity and ability to share our hearts with each other, be us different looking or different sounding or same in features or thoughts.

For freedom is not just a concept, it is a reality which can quickly disappear under the cloak of fear and feelings of being disempowered. It is our diversity that strengthens us and provides the very safety and empowerment we seek and have. It is our right to freedom of speech; the freedom to have differing opinions and to honor other people's voices, no matter how much we may agree or disgree with those voices.

Our foreparents came to the United States with an ideal in mind. An ideal that was born as a reaction to repression, of religious intolerance, and of economic stratification back in their homelands. The United States' Constitution and the Bill of Rights came out of a desire to secure freedoms which our ancestors did not have. Let us cherish those foundations and honor our neighbors and those in this country whose faces and practices may trigger in some of us the faces of the attackers of 9.11.

It is our hearts that when they are allowed to sing freedom, to practice and protect freedoms of allpeople that provides our truest safety.

May we remember that there cannot true freedom and liberty, true safety and trust, if these values are only maintained for some and not for others. The United States of America has a rich legacy; one of them is freedom. May we do justice to our ancestors and pass those rights to our descendants.

Features
A Survivor's Story: 09-11-01 World Trade Center
Written by David Frank

things as they are
Written by Chloe Mata

Some Thoughts about September 11
Written by Lynn of Idaho, U.S.A.

Ripples in the Pond...
Written byDonna, Austin, Texas

"So September 10th"
Written by Pat of Austin, Texas

A Day of Reckoning
Written by Nona Passalacqua, CCHT

Why I will not get out of bed....
Written by A.F. Firebird

A Poem on 9-11-01
Written by Damian Nash

Attack on America: A Poem
Written by Marilee S. Niehoff, Ph.D.

Parenting and Relationship
Helping a Child Manage Fears After a Traumatic Event
Written by Sidran Foundation

Spirit-to-Spirit
Today's Idea
Written by Marianne Williamson

Commentary for Sentient Beings
Written by Michael Benner, C.H.T.

A Letter from Deena Metzger

What Will Rule Our Hearts?

Health Share

"Fight, Flight, or Freeze" Reactions, Ongoing Stress and Health
Written by Darling Villena-Mata, Ph.D.

Emotional First Aid

Caring for Your Heart
Written by Institute of HeartMath

Vibrational Harmony: The Key to Healing and Creating Order Out of Chaos
Written by Beverly Nadler, C.H.T.

How Hypnotherapy Can Help
Written by Nona Passalacqua, C.C.H.T.

Meridian Therapies
Mind and Body Healing for the New Millenium
Written by The Association For Meridian Therapies

Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT)
Written by Lakshmi Collins

For the Record
The Statue of Liberty
Written by Emma Lazarus

Definition of Freedom

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