What would it be like to be free?

To define your identity.  To dress or undress according to whim.  To wear your hair as you like.  To be man, woman, something in between, or not yet imagined.  To be not black, not white, brown, red, or yellow.  To be free of color or culture.  To just be.

To not be swayed by the judgments and condemnation of others, nor by their praise.  To do what you want and, if others like it, they can join you – or not.  To be strong enough to be who and what you want, whenever you want.

To be so very empowered that you can define yourself as something indefinable or unpronounceable and, because of that audacity, everyone willingly accommodates the symbol that you create for your identity.  To control your beingness and command honor and respect from all with whom you interact and engage.

To answer only to yourself and to whatever you define as your Higher Self.  To not have a Higher Self because you may at all times function as your Highest Self.  To reach the point of no separation and, therefore, have no language for the two that is One.

To be your own boss and generate your own income.

To create beyond what seems possible because you are so very unlimited.  To inspire others to fly, to think beyond, to go where no one will ever go because you are proof that one can have a unique expansiveness.

To break through boundaries and obstacles.  To rise above bullying, teasing, racism, sexism, ageism, any-ism because none of this can touch or hold back a shooting star.

To be so confident and assured that fear does not even occur to you or, if it comes near, you swat it away like a flea and continue on your glorious path.

To make the world adjust to your terms because everyone gravitates to a Free One because we all want to be free.  To be so free that those in your presence feel that sense of freedom and remember it and the happiness that it brought for years thereafter.

To live life so fully that it causes others to evaluate their own lives, thoughts, opinions, and norms.  To make others desire change.

To love yourself so passionately that all that you create reflects and radiates this self-love.  To love even when you cannot recognize how very much you are loved.

To be courageous and bold.  To believe that you have a right to own what is yours and to act on that belief.  To fight for what is yours, for what is right and true, and to not back down.  To never give up until what has been taken is returned.

To be free to speak your mind and have opinions that do not conform.  To be original.  To be the vanguard.  To be a one and only.

To claim your power.

To triumph in the midst of adversity and vulnerability.

What is free?  Ultimately, freedom is simply a concept of perception, a state of mind.  So the key is to free your mind.

The human body is frail and easily succumbs to threats to its health.  During his short life, Prince lived more freely than many who live much longer.  He inspired millions.  His legacy will live forever.  Prince’s strong spirit has transcended life in the physical realm.  May his life inspire all of us to live freely, even for a day.