There’s been a successful 
Branding initiative 
Of defining escapism 
As freedom.

Any activity that temporarily 
Numbs your mind 
Or keeps you distracted 
Long enough to forget 
All the pain 
You’re aware of or not.

This is escapism 
In its truest sense. 
This is not freedom. 

Branding initiative 
Notwithstanding.

True freedom is the
Full and live functioning
Of all your faculties
In the present moment.
It is totally experiencing 
Life in all its glory.

Joy or sorrow.
Pleasure or pain.
Irrelevant.

Contrary to everything 
I’d been conditioned to believe, 
I found true freedom 
In taking responsibility 
For my current situation 
And taking thoughtful 
Concrete action to become 
Who I want to be;
To reach my new goals 
And destination.

a*k²

If you’d like to read this content as you work through it, find the podcast episode on my website link in the bio: www.atimesksquared.com. 

Everything you’ve done to date
Has you invested in the status quo.
And so you fight to play inside 
The circle you’ve created for yourself.

Yet, what you seek is outside.
And so you play this game,
Until you wear yourself out. 

When you’re done,
Is where you begin. 

When you’re done making excuses,
When you’re tired of waiting around
For other people or circumstances,
Or for your whole life to change.

When you’re ready to
Shake up your whole world
Because it has nothing to offer 
That is of any value to you.

You’re ready, willing, and able
To do whatever it takes 
To reclaim control of your life.
To find joy, purpose, and meaning.
This is where you begin. 

Now, nothing and no one 
Can stop you 
From finding yourself,
From making a fresh start.
This time, on your own terms. 

You don’t need any specific 
Person, situation, or thing.
You’ll tap into 
Every available resource
To find out
What works best for you.

You will figure it out 
All on your own. 
Because this time, 
You’re determined
That this is your life.

You will design it 
How you want it. 

Not all losses are losses.
Some losses are victories
Disguised as losses.

It’s best in the moment,
To not judge what has happened.
Sometimes, what you think 
To be the best thing 
Can turn out to be 
The worst over time.
And vice-versa.

So, before you 
Bemoan an event 
And declare it a loss, 
Give life time 
To show you what it really is.
For all you know,
It may be a blessing in disguise.

Just you wait,
Let life reveal its magic
Through time.

But what if you 
Find out in the end 
That it was indeed a loss?
Celebrate what you had 
Before you lost it.

And resolve to do 
What it takes 
To protect that 
Which you value better. 

For more ideas like this, I invite you to check out my website at www.atimesksquared.com. I'll be seeing you!