Unlike countries like France, Germany, England, and Spain, America was not founded on regional boundaries or nationalities but on a dream of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." And unless your ancestors were Native Americans or brought here as slaves, they came here as immigrants in search of that dream.
At the base of the Statue of Liberty, the poetic words of the writer Emma Lazarus proclaim:
"Give me your tired, your poor
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. . . .
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door."
As we begin this new year, despite the darkness and divisions of our times, we can each re-connect with that dream that endures as a shining light to guide us in the days ahead.
And you can pause to ask yourself, "What is the dream of freedom that can light my life today?
If you have a few moments now to connect with your dream, you can join me in this brief meditation.
- First close your eyes or shift them into a gentle downward gaze.
- Then breathe in, focusing on your heart and slowly breathe out. You can put your hand on your heart if you wish.
- Again, slowly breathe in and slowly breathe out.
- Breathing in, breathing out, feeling your shoulders relax, your mind becoming more peaceful.
- As you continue this slow heart-focused breathing, visualize the Statue of Liberty and ask yourself, "What dream of freedom is calling to me now?"
- Take your time to listen, breathing into your heart, feeling a joyous connection to the greater oneness of life.
- The answer will come, now or later as a gentle message from your heart.
- When you're ready, gently open your eyes and return to the present moment.
I wish you joy in taking the first step in the direction of your dream.
Reference
Statue of Liberty photo. (2009, November 7). Dominique James. https://www.flickr.com/photos/dominiquejames/4621961395/ Creative Commons Attribution. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Statue_of_Liberty_-_4621961395.jpg