Last week, Roy Shelburne, in his article entitled, Prison is a State of Mind, reminded us that freedom is a precious commodity and that we are the only ones who can control our thoughts.

 

I coached a client who was imprisoned by what he thought he was supposed to be doing, what others expected of him, and how other's had chosen to run their dental practice and life.  He operated in a constant state of dissatisfaction, blame, and worry... along with a nagging sense of never measuring up or feeling truly free and happy.  He's a free man but imprisoned by his belief structure and negative outlook.  He is truly his own jailor and the only one with the key to the lock.

 

Let's remember to appreciate not only our physical freedom but also our intellectual and emotional freedom.

• Trust your intuition about what's important and meaningful to you.
• Listen to your gut when it speaks to you about the work, the people, and the choices that make you feel good.
• Follow your instincts when they pull toward a project, a person, a random opportunity.
• Be true to yourself - not anyone else - when making decisions for your own life.
• Remember there is no official rule book to this life, no "one right way"...  don't let society or other people tell you different.  There is only the path you are meant to walk... or skip down with a big fat smile on your face, if you so choose.

 

We are the only ones in charge of our own happiness.  It is not selfish to get, be, and stay happy and in the space of feeling good.  In fact, I believe it's selfish not to because we rob the world of all that great energy, all those beautiful, authentic smiles and laughter, all those magical ideas, and that great big example of what deep happiness looks like.

 

This world could never get too much of that.