Cuffs of Expectation and Obligation

Expectations held by others of you—or by you of yourself—or of you toward another—are nothing but tiny handcuffs attempting to hold a giant in place. Decorative at best. But if the giant thinks for a moment that the tiny handcuffs have any power or control over them, then… it does.

The power of control isn’t in the holding, or in the mechanical device, but in the thought or belief held about it.

Cuffs of obligations and expectations may be worn as a sign of freedom, a sign of sovereignty, of independence—like a necklace made of construction paper by a child. There is no hold of them except in the mind.

As if trained like a dog not to cross an invisible barrier, we may train ourselves to follow rigid guidelines set by others. Some are there with good intent, to prevent something that may have happened to others.

But what isn’t known is that those events that occurred were never accidental. The soul never departs before it is ready—or before it had intended to do so.

Any bonds of restraint, of societal norms, should be worn loosely—to not cut off creative freedoms or impose mental blocks on what you may actually achieve.

Go about and create—not with the intent of harm or vengeance—but to enjoy the very act of creating.

Use your breath to blow the ribbons of doubt away, and allow the rivers of joy and freedom to roll in.

Enjoy the freedom that life has to offer—and release the shackles of shame you chose to wear.