When we are born, we are free. Somewhere, however, the joy is lost; somewhere along the way we allow our souls to slip into bondage. At times our bondage can be so full of hurt and pain that it seems we never knew the feelings of love, joy and inner peace. The key to returning to happiness and both physical and emotional balance and health lies in greater self-awareness and a better understanding of the energy of the soul and the divine. In Freedom from Within: A Gift of Love, author, counsellor and teacher Teresa Alexander invites us to witness and join her inspirational journey to inner freedom, escape from the bonds of the ego and embrace faith and total love. Teresa seeks to help us discover and open our hearts to the divine presence within ourselves. Her comforting, energetic poems and prose, which she began writing in 1990 after witnessing and aiding miracles of healing in herself and three other people, challenge us to embrace newness in our lives, embrace freedom and follow our hearts' paths of joy, confidence, courage and faith. Once we are free from ego and the fears it brings, the love, beauty and glory of each day can be ours. Put aside all these things, For God has promised more. The joy, the laughter and the learning Must be behind another door. Money cannot buy it, Not any amount of wealth. The joy we seek is in our heart, Deep within our self.

FREEDOM FROM WITHIN

A Gift of LoveBy Teresa Alexander

Balboa Press

Copyright © 2011 Teresa Alexander
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4525-0180-2

Contents

The Golden Grail, the quest for understanding self. Why the journey, why life?.....................1Do we live a life of inner joy and freedom?........................................................9What is the Soul?..................................................................................13Suicide............................................................................................18An instrument of light.............................................................................22Death, Dying or Living.............................................................................28Which path?........................................................................................32Sensitivity........................................................................................35Friend or foe......................................................................................38Being true to our self.............................................................................41Self image.........................................................................................46Work...............................................................................................50Confidence/Fear....................................................................................57Feeling Unloved....................................................................................61Energies affecting others and one's self...........................................................66Seeking Direction..................................................................................71Meditation.........................................................................................76Categorize.........................................................................................81Environment........................................................................................86Higher Intelligence................................................................................94We are one with the universe.......................................................................101Marriage...........................................................................................104Numerology.........................................................................................109Miracles of Love...................................................................................113Time...............................................................................................121God, I am..........................................................................................126The leaf of life...................................................................................134Do it your way.....................................................................................135Life is for living.................................................................................136Our healing park...................................................................................138My guide...........................................................................................139No expectations....................................................................................140Play the game......................................................................................141Observation........................................................................................142The challenge......................................................................................143Tradition..........................................................................................144New chapters.......................................................................................145Smile on the day...................................................................................146Be still...........................................................................................147Friendships like a river...........................................................................148Courage............................................................................................150For today..........................................................................................151Christmas..........................................................................................152Birthday beginnings................................................................................153Thank you for today................................................................................154Our tree...........................................................................................155Loss, the joy of having............................................................................157Mothers gift.......................................................................................158Fathers gift.......................................................................................159Self observe.......................................................................................161Opening your heart.................................................................................162This moment........................................................................................163The road to success................................................................................164All things pass....................................................................................165Life is good.......................................................................................166Count your blessings...............................................................................167Birthday celebrations..............................................................................168The joy of the years...............................................................................170Little boy.........................................................................................171There is a room in the heart.......................................................................172Oneness............................................................................................173Life's destiny.....................................................................................175Natures bounty.....................................................................................176Beauty to enjoy....................................................................................177A special friend...................................................................................178Once in a while....................................................................................179Beauty is around...................................................................................180Open pathways......................................................................................181Enchantment in the moment..........................................................................182Put out your hand..................................................................................183Gentle time........................................................................................184I love you as you are..............................................................................185Honest living......................................................................................186Feeling new........................................................................................187Home is where the heart is.........................................................................188United.............................................................................................189Love comes.........................................................................................190A mother's world...................................................................................191A special person...................................................................................192Forever there......................................................................................193What is a friend...................................................................................194The rose...........................................................................................195My troubled friend.................................................................................196True love..........................................................................................197Greetings my friend................................................................................198Greetings brother..................................................................................200My brother.........................................................................................201Loves declaration..................................................................................202Reaching out.......................................................................................203In my heart........................................................................................204Family love........................................................................................205In the garden......................................................................................206The joy of sharing.................................................................................207Come my friend.....................................................................................208In this life together..............................................................................209Your inner child...................................................................................210Birthday remembrance...............................................................................211Write your dreams..................................................................................212The proposal.......................................................................................213Sharing for the moment.............................................................................214Graces Christmas...................................................................................215Family Christmas...................................................................................217Courage my friend..................................................................................218A time of parting..................................................................................219My big sister......................................................................................220Life times shared..................................................................................221Life times shared cont.............................................................................222The key............................................................................................223Destiny............................................................................................224Quiet times........................................................................................225Smile as you learn.................................................................................226Live...............................................................................................227Another chapter....................................................................................228The realization....................................................................................229Meditation day.....................................................................................231The awakening......................................................................................232Love in focus......................................................................................233The state of grace.................................................................................235A day of learning..................................................................................236Birthday reflections...............................................................................237The secret of the poem.............................................................................238Which path.........................................................................................239The airport........................................................................................240Self growth........................................................................................241Lighten up the heart...............................................................................243A Christmas prayer from a child's heart............................................................244Merry Christmas....................................................................................245Faith, goodness, grace.............................................................................246Love is power......................................................................................247Never give up......................................................................................248Opening new doors..................................................................................249Christmas reflections..............................................................................250Birthdays journey..................................................................................251Open up your day...................................................................................252Music of the voices................................................................................253Complete your journey..............................................................................254The mirror of the soul.............................................................................256The power of thoughts..............................................................................257Love is trusting...................................................................................258Breathe softly.....................................................................................259Life is change.....................................................................................260A shared world.....................................................................................262Letting go.........................................................................................263Support............................................................................................264The path of learning...............................................................................265My future..........................................................................................266Until death do us part.............................................................................267Hullo my friend....................................................................................269Claiming today.....................................................................................271Communications gift................................................................................272Beauty in Creation.................................................................................273With you...........................................................................................274Surgery of joy.....................................................................................275To serve...........................................................................................276Looking for the beauty.............................................................................277Moving forward.....................................................................................278Treat me gentle....................................................................................279Inner searching....................................................................................281Throw away the can of worms........................................................................282Life is a wonder...................................................................................283Kind wishes........................................................................................284Healing in the process.............................................................................285The ego............................................................................................286Atonement..........................................................................................287Sunshine after rain................................................................................288On a song..........................................................................................289Seeing our self....................................................................................290Healing –the release from fear...............................................................291A better world.....................................................................................292America Think Big..................................................................................294Take the first step................................................................................296Grace, gratitude and gladness......................................................................297The child within...................................................................................298A day at a time....................................................................................299Quiet times........................................................................................300Stillness in the moment............................................................................301The heart of the garden............................................................................302Laughter from the heart............................................................................303New beginnings.....................................................................................304Freedom waits......................................................................................305Life's journey.....................................................................................306Brighten up your day...............................................................................307Faith in your growth to beauty.....................................................................308Dignity............................................................................................309Reach for the Stars................................................................................311the highest tower..................................................................................312Mothers' care......................................................................................313Meet the day.......................................................................................314Here to Learn......................................................................................315Family Ties........................................................................................316Welcome Aboard Australia...........................................................................317The Five Cent Coin.................................................................................319A Song For Australia...............................................................................322Skippy.............................................................................................323This Sustains Me...................................................................................324Reflections........................................................................................325The Birth of the Messenger.........................................................................326The Box of Toys....................................................................................327What is love.......................................................................................328Insight leads to love..............................................................................329My secret garden...................................................................................331Life's celebration.................................................................................332The courage to try.................................................................................333It is safe to say goodbye..........................................................................334Enjoy the day......................................................................................335The journey of life................................................................................336Let your best friend be yourself...................................................................337Recognition comes..................................................................................338Focus on the beauty................................................................................339Life is a gift.....................................................................................340Don't shoot the messenger..........................................................................341Dearest dreams.....................................................................................342Sweet song.........................................................................................343On loves terms.....................................................................................344The first step.....................................................................................345Poetry in motion...................................................................................346God bless the child within.........................................................................347Opening the heart..................................................................................348Turning hurts and pain to glory....................................................................349The path of the heart..............................................................................350The journey ever onward............................................................................351Birthright.........................................................................................353Start to sow what you want.........................................................................354The front of the queue.............................................................................355Enjoy the experience...............................................................................356Life isn't a risk life is an opportunity...........................................................358

Chapter One

The Golden Grail, the quest for understanding self. Why the journey, why life?

So you want to learn, I wanted to teach. Now I understand that all learning comes from self-realisation. One becomes the words. As you teach you should observe the words and from this observation can come your learning.

The majority of people accept another person's concept as their belief, religion, and behaviour pattern because it appears to be in line with the majority of people's beliefs. It is easier.

Now ask yourself the question; does this make the belief right? Years ago it was claimed the world was not round. Aeroplanes were not possible. Fortunately change is possible – if one has an enquiring mind and does not accept imposed limitations. A mind that does not accept imposed limitations has the opportunity to recognise and create something new. A theory, an object, an emotion of energy. Is it necessary to look for something new or have we the essence within us now? Possibly repeat the patterns and follow the same path of our parents with an expected heavy load.

A job. It sustains us for security for food, shelter, family support and all the materialistic embellishments that humanity has created an assumed need for.

In the expectation of the struggle for these things is created that energy output from the individual that is multiplied many times in the world. Despair, grief, low self-esteem and many other negative thoughts. As others absorb this energy it begins to dominate many other lives. Few rise above this energy: most do not. Another name for it is stress or fear.

Man has tried to develop a conscience over the centuries justified from imposing their will on others in the name of education and criticism of other beliefs, customs and laws the very essence that is theirs. What gives another the right to impose their will on another? Do I hear you say there would be chaos without it! There is war now with it. There is fear, jealousy, hate, poverty, rape, vandalism loneliness and we wonder why people finally think or say "What is life for or about? Or do I want to live?

Do you really want to ask the previous questions and really consider your answer as an observer of yourself? Let it be what you yourself feel, see or think and not that of someone else. It is only then you can identify your own quality of life. The reason for life and what you would like to do. Only the individual can choose to make changes through their free will. It is wrong to inhibit or attempt to manipulate another. Each person has a right to choose their own path, to live their destiny. So let us begin our enquiry to find your own truth.

    Is there reincarnation Yes No?
    God or death as in final Is the soul or energy force preserved in any way?
      Heaven?
    Our birth. Do we have a choice Yes No?
    If so, why? Is it for learning or karma?
    Birth date Coincidence or important as in Numerology that
      Indicates the planes, strengths, weakness on our
      intellectual, emotional and our physical planes.
    Parents Do we choose them, the family type, patterns.
      Behaviour i.e. alcoholic, rich, poor, karma
    If rebirth Is it the same soul with the opportunity to
      Accumulate learning? What purpose?

A baby is born dependent, feeling aware and observant. Parents try to support to maturity. Mans support usually falls into the category of conditioning. I.e. Dependence. In order for you to survive you need me, therefore I expect from you: -

    You belong to me
    You will do this
    You will not do that
    You will not eat that
    This is love
    That is not love

In this way we have conditioning. The child already arrives with a deep subconscious list. The acknowledged list of recognised lessons, learning opportunities for this current life' time. To learn, understand the knowledge of cause and effect. Some call this karma.

In the first seven years of life there is an extra protection around a child as they are open to all energy forms around them. A child absorbs parents conditioning, observations of the environment and experiences with others in the community. The child now has a measurement of expectation. Therefore conflict for as long as there is expectation there is dissatisfaction, disappointment, hurt, feeling not loved, anger, jealousy, fear, failure, loss etc. when the expectation is not met. Where the expectation is met there is happiness, love, a feeling of being loved, joy, sharing, success, confidence, and self-esteem. I am a winner, etc.

We have experiences of monetary, intellectual learning, sexual nature, and relationships, practical learning with the hands, emotions, feeling, and knowing. There is opportunity for soul growth from both negative and positive experiences. To maximise these experiences we must be observing to learn, to change, be focussed. To be very clear where we wish to move foreword too. We also need to know exactly what the total meaning is to achieve our chosen destiny? If it is love then love cannot be fragmented. Love is total love. Any thought, vocalisation, action that is with total love needs to be recognised giving opportunity for free will to become the action of love. Self-awareness is the key to life, the opportunity to follow our heart. Age does not necessarily give wisdom. If one believes the purpose is to accumulate and become the energy of love opportunity through inner seeking is there to create joy daily.

Some souls will never question to go forward, to go beyond basic man made principals of materialistic greed and power for others or for themselves. We are all responsible for our own journey. In health we are what we eat and think. Crunch time comes and we think. I am not happy. None of my expectations have been met. What is life about? Who am I? Where is the beginning? What am I here for? Therefore what do I have to achieve?

Let us share the journey together.

We know that no matter what the discussion it returns to cause and effect.

The world is full of dissatisfaction, anger, ill health, material wants. Someone else created these. Yet we have marvellous words for many centuries with the answers so why is it we are not applying them?

Yes you are what you think and eat. What about the power of positive action? When you self observe would you want to manifest the thoughts you are thinking now? Thought creates hope, love, despair, hate. Most people think about someone else's actions. Is it because they do not believe their own action creates change for it is the silent approval to allow what is happening to continue? Until we can accept that all thought creates energy that shows itself; we will remain ignorant of the greatest influence to our lives.

Ever changing, a special moment of richness, then it is gone. We try to recapture it in so many ways. We hope for the same again and in the comparison we lose the presence of the now. The moment of stillness, experiencing nature, maybe a taste or perfume. It is called expectation. A measurement. When we expect or measure and the comparison isn't there we feel loss, loneliness, unloved, all the negative emotions that lower self worth, self-esteem. So why do we measure? Generally speaking for all the 'so called' new discoveries in the material world man is a creature of habit. Relying on others to set the stereotype framework of their life. Where does this acceptance that other people make the decisions to run our lives come from? Has man given up the quest for self? What does he think it is? It isn't measurement of material success for at all levels of acquisition of wealth, business success, fame, family life, this has failed to appease.

The difference in people's life styles, religions, has created wars, envy, resentment; the need to possess and still it has not worked.

So why or should we say why not look to see and apply the common bond of the base of the religions, the lifestyle? Yes! It has been done before, but it has only been words. We must not assume a common thread. Knowledge of love must be applied. Best results come from one to one teaching, small groups, classes, until when there is a gathering locally, worldwide, TV. Etc we broadcast the words and each one accepts, rejects, perceives it their way or ignores it. So if it matters or is important enough to us we listen, we discuss, decide on our change and become it. Freedom then becomes the action: it is not fragmented in any way. Freedom just is, the individual is responsible for their own change either deliberately or by being exposed to the environment and being conditioned. Until there is responsibility for the individual's own purpose of what life is about, not lip service, there will be no purpose. After all, how many people really question life? They accept what is handed to them. Man has always scorned anyone that dares to be different without substantiating facts. Yet so many people previously labelled mad are now called genius; people with insights before the people are ready to accept their truth. Still man desires proof. Well it is there for each individual. Even telescopes or brain scans do not bring in all the thought waves available to us that are now being shown by scopes (dimensions, frequencies) this time the prize is beyond comprehension. It is only when individuals seek their own truth that it becomes their own. Those who have found it are generally scorned by others who have not. Fortunately more awareness comes daily as each person's sensitivity can increase to claim what has always been his or hers. When will we reach a point where the awareness of knowing exceeds that of not knowing and the opposite force helps all to attain insight, of course you have to want to. Choice is what life is about. Listening is the key. In that stillness is the message. What you do with the message will always be up to the individual.

      Be still

    Let the silence enter that little
    Chamber filled with love and light

    That in the space one may see
    And be given more insight.

    A heart of joy is filled with gold,
    Courage and strength for a firm foothold.

    So remember the peace from within
    When you were still.

      Stillness in the moment

    This morning I heard the birds;
    It seemed that time stood still.
    Then I came to realise it was my mind;
    So quiet and still.
    Each sang their joyful chorus
    As they called in the new day.
    Be still and be at peace,
    It is the only way.
    When our mind is full of thoughts
    That chatter day and night.
    They do not leave the space
    Which allows us our insight.
    The very special guidance
    Which reaches to our heart.
    The message which gives us hope
    And shows us how to start.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from FREEDOM FROM WITHINby Teresa Alexander Copyright © 2011 by Teresa Alexander. Excerpted by permission of Balboa Press. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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