Feeling trapped in life can be nauseating and difficult when it comes to how to be peaceful.

We get that tug at us saying that there’s something else I should be doing, or that I don’t belong here, in this place, in this career or job, in this relationship, or whatever it might be.

We long to end that self-imprisonment and feeling trapped in life.

A Course in Miracles helps us see that, the Holy Spirit—your inner Guide Who will free you if you listen to his calling, teaches us the difference between imprisoning our mind, or being free. 

But have you ever at times told yourself you were free, when deep within you could feel the chains binding you to something? 

Your ego mind may be mumbling inside your brain right now, wondering what the hell am I talking about. 

But on the other hand you also may have a voice in your heart saying, “Yah, I know what he means here.”

In book 1 of the series I show by literal example…The truth is we do imprison ourselves.  Consider how the world teaches us the meaning of “hard work.”  We like to apply the word “work” to the things we think the world rewards us for, making us feel accepted. 

After all, isn’t this what “happy hour” was designed for? How about a “hard day’s work” or “a long week at work”?  Or, even more exciting, “working at your marriage” and even “working on your relationship with God.”  Is “work” really what is required? 

We imprison ourselves with “work” in order to gain freedom, money, love, and faith.  But wait, there’s more. 

And in book 2 we explore…Doesn’t the ego mind teach us that we must sacrifice “this” in order to get “that”, only leading to feeling trapped in life?

A Course in Miracles states, “Miracles are merely the translation of denial into truth.”

Most of my adult life I have had a passion for the game of golf.  I have met many wonderful people and formed terrific friendships due to my participation in this Godsend of a sport. 

These individuals know who they are, and I send my greetings to them through my book series.

With golf, the object is to smack the little ball around the course and into a small hole, using the least amount of smacking (called strokes) as possible.  The lowest score is a winner. 

Anyone who understands the game of golf realizes it can be frustrating at times. 

It has been perceived by golfers gradually over time, since golf began a few centuries ago, that in order to lower your average score, called a handicap, you should “work” on your game. 

This should entail consistent practice and ongoing lessons from a golf professional. 

Practicing every aspect of one’s game is often considered to be a “never-ending job.”  I always worked hard on my game, which often put stress on my expectations when I would go out to “play.” 

In other words, there was a time when I was much too serious.  I would try to force an outcome. 

That was until my good ole friend Ron talked some sense into me.

Ron always seemed to enjoy golf for the game it was meant to be, regardless of his score, and he could care less about any such practice.  He would often see me at the driving range, which can be fun in itself. 

But with me it was a constant grinding on my golf swing to shave a few strokes from my handicap. 

One day Ron said to me, “Jimbo, why do you work so hard at playing a game?” 

He earnestly talked to me, over time, about just “playing” the game and letting go of the work.  His words gradually sent me out to play without worrying so much about my outcome. 

Need I say that my scores and handicap improved naturally, and that I was having fun without the work? 

How to make your dreams reality!

That was by far the best golf lesson I ever had.

Another friend, and low handicapper as well, Dirty Mike, always said, “Let’s all go out today and shoot lights out, by having fun.”  (You are probably wondering how Dirty Mike got his name. 

All I can tell you is that it has something to do with being “dirty” in a playful manner. 

I promised Mike years ago I would keep the secret. 

It is his secret and is part of what keeps him a fun-loving friend.)  Like me, Dirty Mike was no angel either when it came to giving up his soul to the competition; he and I were always at each other’s throat in grudge matches. 

But Mike was able to take the competition to a level that still kept it enjoyable for him. 

Dirty Mike was quick to turn around any ego-based wrong-minded thoughts of feeling trapped in life that led him away from the pure joy of the competition.

He is able to shift them into right-minded thoughts and aligning the competitiveness in him with the real reason for being on the golf course to begin with.

And how to be peaceful and not feeling trapped in life.

(Here’s a related article that went viral about your right state of mind not only for golf mental, but for your swing on life.)

Always be learning about inner happiness!