Juneteenth: My prayer for freedom

On this Juneteenth day I sit and think about where we’ve been, what we’ve overcome and where we still need to go as a people and I think of Toni Morrison’s words on freedom and responsibility. Her words “The function of freedom is to free someone else” are words that I often reflect on. 

What is true freedom? How do we achieve it? Who is responsible for it?

Life has taught me that freedom is a collaborative process, an active participation. It’s something we must practice together, for ourselves and with one another. Freedom calls for us to repair what has been broken. To uplift one another. To embody kindness & compassion. To cultivate a culture of care and belonging toward one another. This is my hope. This is my prayer. 

Juneteenth: A Prayer for Freedom

I pray we are…

Free to heal. 

Free to thrive.

Free to give & receive love. 

Free to embrace our bodies as they are.

Free to health and well-being.

Free to weep & experience the full range of human emotions. 

Free to be messy. 

Free to be curious.

Free to sing, move/dance, & express ourselves as we so choose.

Free to exist fully & wholly in our bodies.

Free to make mistakes.

Free to say “I am sorry.”

Free to be accountable for our actions.

Free to feel our sacred rage. 

Free to take up space & shine.

Free to know & feel the deep pleasure living inside our bodies.

Free to allow ourselves to experience heaven while living on Earth.

Free to know the peace which surpasses all human understanding. 

Free to follow our joy.