July 4th, 2005

Sparkling sky lit by explosions of light
Displays of freedom ringing in the night!

Did you ever really consider the choices you made that placed you "here" in this incarnation?

I mean, you could have been born in a seemingly holier place. You could have chosen India, or Tibet--places rich in spiritual focus and awareness, and perhaps economically poor.

But you didn't, did YOU?

LIfetime after lifetime we make choices that we forget. This incarnation, you could have been born anywhere in the world. Why did you make the choice you made?

I realize you might be sitting at your laptop somewhere in Australia or France, and you perhaps did not choose any affiliation with the U.S of A.

Since this is "independence day" in the USA, I am thinking about my American incarnation.

For a woman perhaps this was the best choice. Even though some are frustrated by the slow changes at the government level, turn around and look at the possibilities. We are no longer bound by defined roles that were part of the mindscape of our parents and grandparents. Wife and Mom. Caregiver. Giver.

Today, women have the freedom to choose a whole variety of possibilities. One choice that you have made is to be a woman of enlightenment. We are more or "less" restricted by the culture backdrop of our lifetime.

You, who have committed to becoming enlightened awareness may have chosen this American Incarnation because it has the most possibilities for such a seeker, especially if you are a woman.

This country is young. Like any society of humans, this place called America has a sketchy history. America has cultural and political moments of brilliance, mediocrity, decadence, and shame.

Self - discovery demands continuing refinement of self -- in expanded version, of society and planet.   Remind yourself that this country has provided you with an incredible gift. You are free to explore and expand all aspects of your life.

I met an incredible Iranian woman last month. She has lived in this country most of her adult life. She explained that her father and friends have underground meetings each week to practice their Bahai faith. She told me she was lucky to be alive because the police long ago in Iran failed to search her purse. Had they searched it they would have discovered the Bahia Holy Book, and she would have been killed.

So be mindful of the gift of personal freedom, and of course, the obligation the gift carries. What does that mean for you?