A New Kind of Freedom

Redefining A Value of Life

Original image credit to Samuel Branch

My Dear Lovelians & Lifers,

Never in a million years would I have thought I’d be where I am today without experiencing it for myself. I mean, I value freedom in life so much I lived in fear of unpredictability. For so long, I couldn’t believe life could be found here. Looking back, I now see my definition of freedom actually enslaved me rather than provide peace and joy.

I found happiness in this faulty security because it felt comfortable, but I always sensed something…off about it. What I experience nowadays completely redefines this value, which I guess explains why God often requires my obedience rather than my understanding. Sometimes, my beliefs skew the way I view life so badly I’m not capable of seeing the intended outcome.

I didn’t realize how much my definition of freedom supported a life of imbalance until I calculated the math. With 24 hours in a day, 8 consists of sleeping, another 8 for work, and the last 8 for extraneous activities including hobbies, housework, and rest. I still believe freedom is a vital component in a thriving life. It just needed a new definition. I know life cannot be separated so cleanly into neat little categories, but it paints a clear picture for me of generally what my days should consist of, eight hours of work included.

With this mentality, working full days no longer feels so wrong and contrary to my desire for thriving. Nowadays, I find myself living out moments on the job in curiosity, not fear. My tasks remain relatively the same, but each day brings different people, conversations, and happenings, making each one new.

Adaptability is a kind of freedom I never thought I could possess and therefore took a while to find solid rock to stand on. I keep a list in my head of activities in need of daily attention and fit them in accordingly, even when they do not occur at the same time, which they usually don’t. As strange as it sounds, I feel freer in my ability to adapt to circumstances than I ever did safeguarding my rigid schedule.

Now I pray show me more as I offer up my definitions of life values and allow God to redefine them. As difficult as it is to obey when I can’t see the good in it, I trust in His goodness, so I know whatever He has me do I will make it to the other side and marvel at how incredible the intended life looks like from my new vantage point.

I’m still tired, but my hope increases in that it is in fact temporary. I will find rest and alertness when my job no longer feels so new and foreign. In the meantime, I will continue filling my spare time with walks, sitting on the porch drinking tea, rubbing my dog’s belly as she rolls around in the grass, watching James Bond with my dad, gardening with my mom, and watching Friends with my sisters. Among other things.

Stay Curious,

Olivia

P.S. I’m going to attempt growing cucumbers next.