"We hold these truths to be self-evident."
--Thomas Jefferson

This is the month we celebrate Independence Day in the U.S., commemorate our struggle to free ourselves from tyranny, and celebrate victory in the quest for Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. We remember the freedoms we normally take for granted and we appreciate our responsibility to honor, maintain, and clarify those freedoms every day.

Mostly these freedoms are associated with rights - the right to free speech, for example, or to worship freely, assemble peaceably, petition the government, and to due process of law.

I gratefully acknowledge these privileges and freedoms and, frankly, would do well to recognize them more often. And I think about other freedoms, perhaps not mentioned in the Bill of Rights, but freedoms nonetheless; freedoms I don't actually practice as much as I might.

I'm thinking of inner freedoms, quality of life options that have less to do with restraints by others and more to do with how I limit myself. These include but are (definitely) not confined to the freedom ...

• To choose my attitude, even when I have no choice over the circumstances
• To decide not to take things personally
• To talk things out in difficult situations instead of holding back
• To laugh when everything around me seems to be falling apart
• To breathe
• To smile
• To center
• To be curious
• To see the good in people

The Declaration of Independence is an amazing document.

Could we create an inner declaration that frees us from prejudice, arrogance, blame, and justification (just to name a few)? A personal set of self-evident truths that protect us from our self-imposed limits - the shackles that cause us to struggle so and bring stress to those we love and work with everyday?

Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, said aikido is the art of peace, a way to practice freedom through compassion, wisdom, and fearlessness. If we use this definition, how free are you? And what holds you back?

Stop a moment. Breathe, center, smile, and return to freedom, the freedom that is always at your disposal and that only you can restrict.

Would you like to use Ki Moments articles in your company newsletter or website? You can, as long as you include this author bio with it:

About the Author: Judy Ringer is the author of Unlikely Teachers: Finding the Hidden Gifts in Daily Conflict and the award-winning e-newsletter, Ki Moments, containing stories and practices on turning life's challenges into life teachers. Judy is a black belt in aikido and nationally known presenter, specializing in unique workshops on conflict, communication, and creating a positive work environment. To sign up for free tips and articles like these, visit JudyRinger.com

For more Free Articles, visit JudyRinger.com or EzineArticles.com.

Please visit JudyRinger.com to learn more about our Summer Public Workshops on:

• We Have to Talk: Managing Difficult Conversations (July 18)
• Powerful Presentations (with Susan Losapio, August 14)

Learn more and register here

I hope you will join me and the Aiki Works team September 10-14 for Tom Crum's annual Journey to Center program in Colorado.

Research has shown that supervisors and managers can spend as much as 30% of their time dealing with interpersonal conflicts.

With the critical skills you will learn in Journey to Center, you will be able to:

• Deal effectively with conflict without avoiding or damaging relationships.
• Respond to change and complexity with power and efficiency.
• Develop the ability to act effectively under pressure.
• Reduce the exhaustion of modern life so that you can operate at optimum levels of energy, performance, and productivity.

Fees for the 2007 program are $1995 double occupancy and $2195 single occupancy. This includes lodging, healthy meals, materials, and the workshop fee. Group discounts are available and enrollment is limited.

To register and for more information, call 585-924-7302 or visit AikiWorks.com

Many of the principles reflected in Ki Moments come from aikido, the Japanese martial art that teaches self-defense through the redirection of energy.

If you're interested in practicing aikido and you live locally, Portsmouth Aikido is an ongoing martial arts school at the Seacoast Y in Portsmouth. Classes are held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, with an ongoing beginner class Sundays at 1:00. You can also stop by anytime and watch a class.

Judy Ringer
Power & Presence Training
76 Park Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801
voice: 603.431.8560
website: www.judyringer.com

Judy Ringer is Founder of Power & Presence Training, a Portsmouth, NH company specializing in unique workshops to help you and your organization manage conflict, communicate effectively, and co-create a more positive work environment. E-mail Judy at judy@judyringer.com for a free initial meeting to discuss your training needs.

Ki (from Ai-ki-do) is Japanese for life energy. Ki Moments is a complimentary monthly "e-zine" with tips and how-to articles to help you manage the key moments in your life.

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email: judy@judyringer.com

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