A Free Day for You

Take in a deep breath. What might a free day feel like to you? When
was the last time you had a free day? There are so many
serendipitous
fortunate discoveries we come upon spontaneously when we have an
empty day. Free from restraints, we’re blessed with white spaces in
our
calendar. We awaken to no appointments. We’re at liberty, not
controlled
by obligations or the will of others. We’re free to come and go, to love
life
on our own terms, to set ourself free. We have discretionary time.
We’re
not burdened or trapped. We’re able to exercise our judgment. It’s up
to
us to decide how to fill our days enjoyably and wisely.
On a free day, let your experience evolve. Have an open heart. You
can
choose to do one thing and then switch gears and do something else.
This
sense of free choice is extremely healthy for us. Whenever we give
the
spirit freedom, we are moved to do whatever seems most appealing
at the
moment. No dates. No obligations. No e-mail. No fax machine. There
is nothing you have to do or should do. You are taking a break in order
to rejuvenate, revive, renew, and restore your spirit. It does wonders
for
us to remove ourselves from our usual work and from being in charge
of
caring for the children.
Imagine that you are able to take a day off from everything and
everyone. What do you think you’d be inclined to do? Sleep late? Get
up
early? Where would you go? Would you stay home and paint the
picket

fence? Would you go fishing alone or would you choose to bring your
son
or daughter with you? Would you go sailing? Alone? Would you play
golf? Would you work in the garden and then get a cool refreshing
glass
of iced tea and read a good book in the hammock until you fell asleep
to
the sounds of the birds?
By turning our backs on our purposefulness, on our regular activities,
we open up to the flow of silent mind that is inside us. What is it that’s
been
missing in our busy, fast-paced life of pressures, schedules, and
deadlines?
We all need to take a break in order to recharge ourselves.
Give yourself this gift of a free day. Claim a personal day for you.
This is a day you are not on call. No meetings, no conference calls, no
meals to prepare for the family, no expectations from others of what
you
ought to do or should do. All the things you wish to do and don’t get
to,
you’re now free to begin. Open the windows and doors to your soul.
Let
the light spill in. If you can’t spend your life exactly the way you’d
choose
to, for whatever reasons, you can choose to have a free day you call
your
own. Break away from your daily details and routines. Relax into this
spacious experience. You may prefer to improve your mind by reading
and listening to tapes about history and philosophy. Many
professionals
lament that they only have time to read about their special field and
never
feel caught up. A whole day of studying great literature could be a real
tonic to jump-start this as a daily discipline in the future.
When we fully accept this free day, we will reconnect to our passions
and bring this spaciousness with us when we return to our normal
pattern
of living. Some people can’t even envision what it would feel like to
experience this sense of freedom because they have so many real
burdens
in their lives. But I’m a great believer in taking whatever steps are
possible
to live a good life that is pleasant. A free day might be a real necessity
in
order for you not to lose sight of who you are, the “me” of you. When
you’re completely in charge of your choices, even if for just a day, you
will
discover more about your own needs that have to be satisfied. The
more
you care for the needs of others, the more you have to give yourself
time

for personal development. Give yourself this day to put your life in
better
perspective. See how everything appears to be less overwhelming,
less
stressful.
After you have fully lived a free day for you, review what you learn
about your self, not in relationship to others, but your core identity.
What
did you choose to do for you? Who did you choose to be with? Who did
you choose not to be with? What were the most wonderful discoveries
you made about you?
Maybe you chose to have a three-hour lunch with a friend at a
restaurant and then go to a museum because when you stay at home
you
are tempted to do chores. Or you might have chosen to swim and play
tennis and go to a concert with your spouse, whom you invited to join
you
on your free day. You realized how long it had been since you both
were
free, together, without the children. You wanted to be carefree again,
the
way you were before you became parents.
Whatever you choose, have a rich, wonderful day. This is for you, and
only you choose what you do, when you do it, where, and with whom.
Why you spent your free day the way you did will be revealed to you.
This
free day can be pure bliss. This is my wish for you.