by Virginia Satir

The Five Freedoms

To see and hear

     What is here,

     Instead of what should be

     Was, or will be.

To say

     What one feels and things                    

     Instead of what one should.

To feel

     What one feels

     Instead of what one ought.

To ask

     For what one wants,

     Instead of always

     Waiting for permission.

To take risks

     In one's own behalf,

     Instead of choosing to be

     "Only secure,"

     And not rocking the boat.

                                   -Satir