I watched a movie recently, 12 Years a Slave http://bit.ly/1df1s9s, and the horror of it made it simply beautiful. Watching it, I craved freedom even though I ostensibly already have it.

That illogical craving made me wonder what chains are binding me. What is it that shackles me every morning when I awake? Why do I crave freedom so very much?

I realised that I am the chains binding me. My thoughts, my fears, my loves and my hates – even my dreams. I am the only thing stopping my own freedom.

I have choices, every single day. I can choose to love, choose to hate. I can choose to take offense and I can choose to let something go.

I am a bit of a control freak.

A sure sign of that is I’m probably one of the worst passengers in the world, and certainly irritate anyone who happens to be driving – it’s not about the person’s driving, it’s just because I am not in control.

I also find myself constantly holding my beloveds in my thoughts, trying by some sort of telekinetic energy to keep them all safe – safe from making mistakes, doing the wrong thing, from other people, from physical danger, from spiritual or emotional devastation. It’s exhausting!

This is what chains me.

So, I’ve decided to let it all go. You see, no matter how hard I try, I’m not in control. Not of all those things. All I can control is the way in which I perceive and deal with the stuff of life.

For the first time in forever, I feel I can breathe.

I feel almost childlike because all my self-belief has rushed back – I’m no longer holding on tight to things I can’t change. I feel as if I am indeed the centre of the universe. And I am; the centre of mine.

Returning to that space, to my own soul, has given me the strength and wisdom to give so much more. I’m no longer enslaved to solving other people’s riddles. I can now concentrate on solving my own – and only I have those answers anyway.

Letting go is a simple process once you’ve grasped what binds you, what restricts you in any aspect of your life.

It’s a decision.

Give it up.

Let it go.

Be free . . .