(This article originally published in Natures Pathways Southeast Wisconsin July 2014 – Author Jill E. Greinke)

“Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.”

—Virginia Woolf, “A Room of One’s Own”

Happy July, the month in which that the United States celebrates its independence. Independence Day, or the Fourth of July, resounds with the concept of freedom!

Wikipedia states: “During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain actually occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, declaring the United States independent from Great Britain. After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the wording of the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4.”

What the American colonists believed in and fought for was not only progressive for its time but profound. Think for a moment what kind of open mindedness and determination must have resided in their hearts for those people to fight for their freedom. Motivation? Absolutely! Inspiration? Miraculous!

“Live your beliefs and you can turn the world around.”

—Henry David Thoreau

“TURN” is a new TV series that airs on American Movie Classics (AMC). The series “Follows New York farmer Abe Woodhull, who bands together with a group of childhood friends to form the Culper Ring, an unlikely group of spies who turn the tide in America’s fight for independence.” The series is based on actual American colonists who did whatever it took to take action and follow through with their convictions. They had the courage to think freely and then turn those thoughts into concrete actions.

“My mind tells me to give up, but my heart won’t let me.” 
—Lao Tzu

Throughout history, we have seen countless individuals create new opportunities for change that cost an astronomically high price: thousands of lives, lifetimes of practice and vast amounts of currency. Many progressive thinkers even risked their own lives to get results. This type of power requires accessing the magic of one’s heart. Unfortunately, it can be extremely difficult to find one’s heart. It is blocked by layers and layers of habitual thinking by the mind.

Science says that everything in the universe is comprised of energy, including our thoughts and feelings. Energy vibrates at differing frequencies: high, low and everything in between. Quantum physics states that certain vibrations attract similar energy. So, if we learn to live from the wellspring of unconditional love found within our hearts, we will be able to manifest unstoppable changes in our lives.

“Shine bright like a diamond.”

—From the song “Diamonds,” by Rhianna

We know what diamonds are and what they represent. We also know that when attempting to purchase a diamond as a gemstone, we look for its clarity and brilliance. We want diamonds to sparkle — fracturing light into thousands of little points. The more points of light there are, the greater the jewel shines — like fireworks on the Fourth of July. In the same way, the more we find ways to access the light within our own hearts, the greater our opportunity will be to create positive, healthy changes for ourselves, our families, our friends and others. Those changes include the freedom to explore the unknown.

Here are five inspirational ways to connect to the freedom of an open heart:

1. Find and maintain ways to feel messages found within your body and in particular your heart. Trust your intuition or gut feelings.
2. Make sure your thoughts are pure — meaning you know where your thoughts are coming from. Notice if they are tainted by what others think, do or say. Pure thoughts are soul thoughts that resonate from within you.
3. Get connected with your inner wisdom and guidance. This requires quieting your mind by learning and practicing a spiritual discipline.
4. Learn ways to be open to new ideas. The authentic voice found within an open heart is your soul wanting you to stretch forward, expand and think freely.
5. Find professionals trained to assist you in healing anything blocking you from gaining the spiritual freedom birthed only through an open heart. Even if it takes time, practice and money, you’re worth it. And if we would all take this advice, think about what we could do for our world — collectively!

This article originally published Natures Pathways Southeast Wisconsin July 2014 naturespathways.com/editions/southeast-wi-edition

– See more at: http://jillegreinke.com/blog/2015/01/shine-bright-5-ways-think-freely-live-inspiration/#sthash.McWucrYK.dpuf