Freedom

Try to reach back, way back, to the first time that you felt free...

What can you remember?  Was the sun shining?  Was the wind in your face?  Were you feeling a mixture of joy and gleeful uncertainty?

I know exactly my moment.  The first time I felt free was on a bicycle.  You, too?  Well, now, that does not surprise.

At that tender age, still in single digits, reliant on the folks for food, shelter, and direction, try to recall that first time you decided to stray from the street in front of your place and explore.

You were free.  Sure, there were rules.  But as soon as you shoved off, you had to decide yourself whether to play by the rules or break them.  You were free to go as far as you dared.  Wherever you dared.  As fast as you dared.  And you had only yourself to depend on. 

I don't remember being afraid of getting lost, crashing, breaking down, or getting tired.  That stuff was not in play, not yet part of my experience.  So, I was free of care.  Carefree!  I could ride anywhere, anyhow, free of criticism, advice or input.  Free.  It makes me lightheaded to go back to that time.

There was just this great adventure.   And I could keep that experience, that feeling, at least until the streetlights came on and it was time to get on home.

Wouldn't it be awesome to recapture that feeling? Even for a little while?  What would it take?  What would you have to shed to get back to that time?  We carry a lot of baggage as adults.  Is it even possible to peel back the layers, the fears, the injuries, the responsibility?  It's a lot to consider and deal with.

Do you ever go back there?  Don't you wish you could?

For me, I can imagine the first feeling of freedom and sometimes it comes back with little effort.  Sometimes it happens when I am on a great adventure.  It's easy while on a bike.  Sun shining, wind in my hair, heart pumping. Sweat rolling, legs working.  Friends close by and sharing the same experience. In synchrony. Connected.

I want to keep that feeling, at least until the streetlights go on.