Everyone wants to be free. We have all had moments of unbounded joy, when we felt we could do anything including conquer our world. We know how it feels to be free. It feels natural and splendid!

From birth until we mature we follow the rules, often seen as restrictions of our caregivers and providers. While children may rankle under the rules, many are for their own good, such as being forbidden as a young child to run out into a busy street or play with fire.

Slowly our caregivers’ personal rules for us diminish and become more like those held by our society, such as the prohibition against stealing.

Along the way to maturity we may acquire personal rules, from following the examples of others or due to traumatic events. When these rules are held unconsciously, and seem to be some kind of natural law they can be problematical and inhibit our personal freedom.

Any beliefs (rules) that inhibit freedom tend to also be intolerant. They make us feel and act intolerant towards ourselves and others.

For instance, an unfortunately common belief is, “I am worthless”. As a former counselor, I have heard that one many times. In reality it is other nonsense, but it can derail a person from achieving their dreams and personal freedom. When enough people hold these kinds of a beliefs in a society, the door is opened for a tyrannical government to take control.

Negative and often unconsciously held beliefs are always intolerant. They are intolerant of growth. Growth involves “falling on one’s butt—that’s how we learn to walk and do anything. “Failure” is often a learning experience that is a necessary to move forward. Negative beliefs seem to protect us from failure but really inhibit growth.

Negative beliefs are intolerant of our successes, as no matter what, the compare our success to some greater achievement often by someone else.

The negative beliefs are easily also intolerant of others. The more a person feels insignificant and out of control the more they will tend to act superior and try to control others. Plus the more critical they will be of what they decide are others weaknesses and failures.

Unfortunately, people seek the comfort of what is familiar, even negativity as it seems “safe” although miserable. After all, we may be miserable but we know we can survive as such.

Recently studies have shown that negative thinking can alter one’s brain. On the other side, conscious positive thinking, prayer and meditation also alter the brain, but these effects promote brain health.

Until recently, the way out of negative thoughts seemed to be rehashing them to discover the root, which was an ever ongoing process, much like peeling an onion as it brought tears. Of course, one could take medications, such as Prozac or self medicate liquor or with illegal drugs in an attempt to dull the pain.

We have new techniques in addition to meditation and prayer, such as EFT and the Sedona method, plus the new Awakened Vision, which also easily produces changes in the brain by using vision.

A person who experiences personal freedom is a blessing to their family, friends and society. People who feel in control of themselves are free to be tolerant of others.

It is far easier to be tolerant and forgiving when faced with a person who is upset when memories of other unresolved time people were upset with one—like authority figures are not unconsciously re stimulated and added to the new moment.

When you actually see the person before you without the barrier of eyeglasses made of old memories, hurts and resentments problems become simpler to resolve.

Whether on a personal or societal basis, freedom always involves cost. If nothing else freedom costs time and energy. Freedom is participatory and requires consciousness. Comfort and freedom are not true friends until being challenged to be one’s best seems comfortable.

“If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” — Thomas Edison

Washington went through a living hell at Valley Forge. It was bitter cold. He and his men lacked for warm clothing, shelter and provisions. And, yet he was free to be his best. He rose to the occasion, somehow becoming an inspiration to his me, encouraging them by his example.

After Washington won the war he continued to set the example of a free man. He showed tolerance to those of other faiths, including Jews, which was also revolutionary in its time. He supported the idea that all free men would be allowed to vote.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly for democracy, by example he established the idea of term limits. Unlike kings, emperors and other rulers—including I our own time, Washington saw himself as a public servant. When Washington declined to run for a third term his action rivaled that shot heard ‘round the world. He purposefully gave away his power.

Anyone who is trying—or succeeding to control other adults by force, emotional blackmail, threats or any other form of coercion does not feel free but is overwhelmed by negative beliefs and feelings that seem to be out of control.

The person who feels most threatened and least in control is usually some kind of bully. This is true for people we experience as family, friends or in business as it is for those in leadership positions in organizations of religion, culture, education and government.

George Washington saw himself as a free man. His actions and diary reveal him to be a free man who was inspired, challenged and comforted by his beliefs. As such, he had no need to control others. True leaders inspire, and ultimately their power grows beyond the boundaries of their mortality.

Being free does not require talent, above average intelligence, wealth or the right connections in one’s society. It does require rising to the challenge with courage and taking the actions necessary to change oneself and exercise one’s freedom, plus encourage others to gain freedom too.

“Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.” — George Washington

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Tags: beliefs, free, freedom, gain freedom, George Washington, intolerance, tolerance, unconscious