FREEDOM MONTH: DAY 10: “The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.” ― Maya Angelou
This quote speaks of slavery and imprisonment, but I believe we are all slaves and imprisoned, at least somewhat, by addiction.
While that may not be as dramatic as true slavery, I know that the concept of freedom speaks to quite a few layers of our spiritual and physical experiences and realities.
We ARE slaves in addiction, living from the ego-state that demands our full participation in self-destruction. We don’t know this until we do, but it is real, nonetheless. Our bodies and minds become so distorted by our egoic view of ourselves and our role in the world around us, that we cannot escape it, even when we are dying to do so.
We are like the caged bird, longing for a life that includes freedom from this horrible affliction, but not knowing what that would mean or how to go about it.
The sad part is this: our freedom is “contingent upon the daily maintenance of a spiritual condition” that we fight and fight, with that same ego that held us captive to begin with.
We have the keys and the tools to remain free of this thing, but so few will use them to full effect. Belief that it is only the alcohol or the drugs that hold us prisoner, we continue to buy into the ego-state that keeps us locked up in old ideas and ways of life.
The ongoing need for spiritual growth demands that I continue to address the wrongs I may have done others. I must continue to amend MY behavior and quit apologizing for things that I repeat from the old days. This is not consistent in what I see around me too often. So, I recognize that this is the journey I MUST take. And I do.
Those who do not remind me of who I am and what needs to be done. Some of my amends are still being made, long after the drugs and alcohol are no longer part of my life. I continue to make amends to some of my family and institutions with whom I wreaked havoc. That is the journey my sponsor laid before me over 30 years ago. I have not forgotten.
And if things are revealed, sometimes many years later, I am persistent about cleaning them up as well. I do what is necessary to ensure I will not ever go back into the cage of my ego. While I am not responsible for unlocking it in the first place, I am responsible for remaining free of its confinement. I get to choose that, and I am grateful and willing to do whatever it means for me to remain living in the freedom of spirit and joy that I have today!
Dolphin Hug 