Three for Free (Challenges, that is.)

Emma suggested that I complete Free Like That with a Freedom Challenge.  If you prefer, you can call these challenges invitations. In any case, they are opportunities to deepen and expand the experience of being free.  Maybe you've done one of these before.  Maybe you have other challenges/invitations.  If so, weigh in. 

1. Freedom Top 5 (or 10) List

What is the soundtrack for being free?  Soundtrack is key! Unless it's not; then don't worry about it. 

Picking songs can be a challenge.  Like, "is this really the best choice for the Freedom Top 5?"  Who cares? Put it on the list; you can change the list later.  If you're feeling more like the Freedom Top 25, roll with it.  For me, that's too many decisions to make. 

Anna's Top 8, April 3, 2014 

1. Susan Boyle; this is on my favorites list.  I listen to this at least once a week.   
2. Pharrell Williams, you are so sweet.  Thank you for this song! 
3. J.Tims.  The song changes but he's regularly on my top 5.  Abby, an Amen?!?
4. Smile! is not what you expect for a Freedom Top 5 until you remember that you are free even if you are not feeling like Rock Your Body.  Being real is being free.
5. Because the Go-Go's are the freaking COOOOOLest!!! Please note, by today's trends in celebrity fashion they dressed like June Cleaver.  
6. If you were thinking about complaining that there is a Grateful Dead track, be grateful I grabbed the studio version.  And, if you're disappointed about a studio track, Shakedown Street is their best studio recording.  
7. Wake Me Up.  Not by Wham. 
8. Good Feeling.  Pretty much the anthem of free.  For me.  

I'll stop here.  

2. Announce Yourself and Be Free

It is helpful to have a few announcements on hand if you get into any of the following situations of bondage: 

• Most Boring Social Situation.  Everyone is talking blah-blah-blah. You do your utmost to be interested in other people but it's like they're telling you a story they've told twenty times before and it's not even interesting.  This is a perfect time to drop an announcement. 
• Stephen Colbert Locks You In. You are at Stephen's for dinner and he says he can't let you go home until you give him some good material for a few sketches.
• Facebook Irrelevance. You've been off Facebook for a few months (days?) and have become irrelevant for Facebook conversation.

As you can see, bondage can sneak up on a person.  So, challenge yourself to announce yourself.  In announcing yourself, you shed your shackles.

For example, Jimmy Fallon takes the empty seat next to me on the Concord Trailways bus from North Station to Portland.  He says, "Tell me a little about yourself, Anna." 
I offer the most powerful cognitive shifting training in all of Maine. All of Maine!  The Tony Robbins Foundation is on the cusp of granting me their first Coach-that-we-support-who-has-no-training-in-our-methods-but-reassures-us-that-she-is-amazing-and-her-audacity-so-impressed-us-that-we-talked-with-her-and-now.... damn... she's-right Award Recipient.   

I know, I know, not everyone is an extrovert. Or obnoxious. So,  introverts.... you could write your announcement of yourself on an index card and put it in your car by your steering wheel. Extroverts, you can do that, too!  

This is not lame.  So, don't announce something you think is lame.  If you think it's lame, it is lame.  Right?  An announcement is fun.   It's not like you're making a commitment, baring your soul (although you can if that's fun), or promising anyone anything.  You don't even have to say the announcement out loud ever. You're just ready. That way, if you get stuck at a children's birthday party where parents are discussing the pros and cons of various math curricula, you can get drop this gem of an announcement: 
 I've been thinking about doing a TedTalk on the parallel teachings of Flashpoint and Mooji.  Like, no shit.  We will go DEEP on it.

See what happens next.  

You might feel some resistance to announcements. Or, you could start thinking anti-announcement thoughts. I suggest that you do not argue with the voices in your head, nor let them scoop you up and carry you off.  Just give them some respect like, "Okay, I heard you."   You are not these resistant feelings and thinkings.  You are what is aware of resistance.  Watch the I.  

Or, watch Jenna Marbles.  She announces herself for a good ten minutes in this video.  If you are new to her, I recommend give her a few minutes to get to know her.  

In sum, announcements are declarations regarding skills, insights and experiences which may or may not be true.  

3. Design a Product

Here's why this is a challenge.  People think that a product is only worth designing if:

• it has market value
• it is useful
• it actually works
• it can be manufactured, rather than 'only' imagined

Let me tell you, if you just throw all that out the window you will find that you are a fabulous inventor!  Like, I created an assessment tool.  I have to tell you, it was and is so fun for me.  I understand that is just way too geek for some people.  But, for me, it's perfect!  Maybe you cook up a new dessert, make an obstacle course for your cat, write a magic spell to prevent things that were never going to happen anyway.  

How about this guy with Dance Walking!?  I am in love!

May we recognize we are free and powerful, the proof of truth. May we trust all seeds of freedom are growing perfectly.  

May we recognize the harvest available in each moment. 

And so it is.