Freedom, would you recognize it?

I've had a thought rambling around in my head for that last few days.  I have difficulty expressing my ideas into words.  Are you that way too?  

You first get a hint that there is something important to recognize in a moment; when a feeling, kind of washes over you, and your brain suddenly becomes focused, and it tells you... "hey, this is important to note!" 

I have a blessed life.  I do.  I recognize it.  I'm darn lucky.

I have most of the things that others continue to want; a comfortable living, a loving husband, independence, a lovely little shelter I can call my home.  All things we (as Americans), have the "freedom" to have.  

The other morning I became really clear on how free I was.  Let me explain.  

This week the weather warmed up into the low seventies, and the forecast was sunny.  My husband had brought our motorcycles out of storage over the weekend; and I thought to myself, "hey, why not ride it into work?"  So a little polish, air for the tires, some oil for the tank and she was ready.  

When I lit out on Wednesday morning, the air was cool, and the morning light was soft.  A mist still hovers over the ground at night, but slowly dissipates along with the sun.  It was a beautiful morning.  As I revved through the gears, rolling into the turns as the road curved along the edge of Big Cedar lake, my soul's spirit lifted. 

A year ago, I wouldn't have rewarded myself with this freedom.  The freedom to stop and enjoy a fun and beautiful moment.  For example, I would have never given myself the approval to spend my commute to work enjoying a motorcycle ride; something that gives me such peace and such thrill.  It was this moment the other morning, that I recognized I had made myself a prisoner.  I had been driving to control everything, and in doing so, had taken away my right to live in the moment and enjoy the splendors of life.  

Last fall, by providence I was set free from my job, and since then I've found new employment that affords me a life wherein I can relax, stop, and take-in my surroundings.  To see.  To smile.  To laugh.  It taken me this long to recognize the impact of that change.  

While it was my first ride of the year, that really filled me with joy and happiness; there have been other signs of my change.  I am not in such a hurry anymore and I'm enjoying times when I stop to admire the bold colors of the flowers in my garden; or I respond on a impulse to grab my camera and shoot a mist floating above the pines as the sun begins to rise.  I even get down on the floor,  (in my business clothes), to rub the belly of my lazy dog (and laugh at our silliness.)  

I am still focused.  Still driven.  However, my job no longer drains the life from me.  I feel appreciated, useful, important.  I'm valued as a person and am recognized for my value.  Family is important, whether its a family of workers or a family of relatives.  I have, luckily, stumbled upon a balance of life and utility that I never thought possible.  

So while riding my motorcycle this week, I realized it was the cosmos whispering in my ear - "This is important.  This is your freedom.  Recognize it.  Don't lose it.  Fight for it!"