[Li-ber] 1. free 2. bark, a book 3. to engage in contract 4. education for a free people
I have loved this word for many years. I first learned it in a thirsty quest to understand the freedom of a nation. Our nation: America. I became painfully aware that many of our freedoms were being lost through misuse of government power. I grieved at this awakening. I became passionate about learning and understanding what government was supposed to be, and what it had become. I wanted to know what I could do to make a difference for good, to try and change the tide. The answer led me to this word: liber.
I have since learned that liber, the root of liberty and library, has application to every area of my life. My personal self governance; my health, both physical and mental; relationships; parenting; education; finances; the war with Satan; food, clothing, shelter. Each area of freedom won, has been a journey of learning.
I have found a pattern in the journey to liber. It is 1. pain, 2. a realization of one's bondage, 3. a quest for knowledge, 4. working to grasp, gain and eventually master the skills learned about, 5. then engaging with world in the paradigm of your new-found freedom.
My bondage to a chaotic, over-paced world led me to want self-governance. I found myself spread too thin between motherhood, homemaking, social and educational activities. Life was somewhat without purpose, just reactionary. Someone would present me with an idea, I would get excited about it. I would start down the road with conviction and find myself knee-deep in it, too tired to go on, and not sure it was worth it, so I would only half-heartedly contintue, until all the drive had petered out and I quit...only to feel guilty about the long train of unfinished projects and goals I had trailing behind me. I had not the discipline to accomplish. I had not the clarity of vision to choose the right path for me.
I kept reading about successful people. People who made a difference in the world around them - whether famous or not, they lived according to their convictions. They found joy in living because they knew they were right before God, and they were accomplishing their mission on earth. I wanted a mission, something to be passionate about, but deep down I knew that I did not have the discipline or skills to do much. I wanted them, so I took a leap of faith and courage - one of the most humbling and frightening steps in my life, and it started me on a new path. A path to self-governance, where I can choose the way I spend my time, and know that I am right before God, and that He does have a work for me to do on this earth - something I am passionate about!
That step was finding a mentor.
I have loved this word for many years. I first learned it in a thirsty quest to understand the freedom of a nation. Our nation: America. I became painfully aware that many of our freedoms were being lost through misuse of government power. I grieved at this awakening. I became passionate about learning and understanding what government was supposed to be, and what it had become. I wanted to know what I could do to make a difference for good, to try and change the tide. The answer led me to this word: liber.
I have since learned that liber, the root of liberty and library, has application to every area of my life. My personal self governance; my health, both physical and mental; relationships; parenting; education; finances; the war with Satan; food, clothing, shelter. Each area of freedom won, has been a journey of learning.
I have found a pattern in the journey to liber. It is 1. pain, 2. a realization of one's bondage, 3. a quest for knowledge, 4. working to grasp, gain and eventually master the skills learned about, 5. then engaging with world in the paradigm of your new-found freedom.
My bondage to a chaotic, over-paced world led me to want self-governance. I found myself spread too thin between motherhood, homemaking, social and educational activities. Life was somewhat without purpose, just reactionary. Someone would present me with an idea, I would get excited about it. I would start down the road with conviction and find myself knee-deep in it, too tired to go on, and not sure it was worth it, so I would only half-heartedly contintue, until all the drive had petered out and I quit...only to feel guilty about the long train of unfinished projects and goals I had trailing behind me. I had not the discipline to accomplish. I had not the clarity of vision to choose the right path for me.
I kept reading about successful people. People who made a difference in the world around them - whether famous or not, they lived according to their convictions. They found joy in living because they knew they were right before God, and they were accomplishing their mission on earth. I wanted a mission, something to be passionate about, but deep down I knew that I did not have the discipline or skills to do much. I wanted them, so I took a leap of faith and courage - one of the most humbling and frightening steps in my life, and it started me on a new path. A path to self-governance, where I can choose the way I spend my time, and know that I am right before God, and that He does have a work for me to do on this earth - something I am passionate about!
That step was finding a mentor.
It feels like it's been forever since you've written a blog entry. Thank you for your blog, is is uplifting and inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jani. The challenge is that I am only ever compelled to it in the wee hours of the night or morning :)
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