Free To Be

A number of stories, poems, and song texts which demonstrate that people can choose to do or be whatever they desire.

Features information for teenagers regarding sexual orientation, compiled by New Directions for Life Ministries--Toronto, Inc. in Canada. Contains FAQs, narratives, and additional resources.

Over thirty essays examine the legacy of Marlo Thomas' children's book "Free to Be ... You and Me," which promoted individuality, acceptance, and diversity during the beginning stages of the women's rights movement in the early 1970s.

Do you find yourself feeling unfulfilled? Unworthy? Like you’ve checked all the boxes and built a life, a career, a family but still, something is missing? From an early age we’re taught that in order to be worthy, to find true happiness, to be “somebody,” we have to accomplish many things. We become achievement machines, always grasping for the next big win to send a signal to the world—and to ourselves—that we’ve “made it.” That we are happy. But do we ever “make it,” really? Are we truly happy not in the “#livingmybestlife” and “#blessed” way in which we caption our social media pages, but from a truly contented place of inner peace and joy? One where the yearning for the bigger house, the better job, the younger, more pliable spouse takes a backseat to the yearnings of our hearts and souls, a place where contentment just “is”? We’re often told to follow our heart; that fragile, fickle organ at the center of our physical being. What’s really meant by that idiom is to follow our soul; that all-knowing, ever-wise space within all of us. But most people have been disconnected from their souls for so long, they have no idea where to find it…let alone how to follow it. Free to Be is a simple six-week process of liberating your soul. With easy-to-digest daily exercises, it will lead you toward a life of deep fulfillment and lasting contentment. (That is, if you let it!) If you were given a guide that could reset your life—rewrite your story—right here and now, would you? If your answer is yes, let’s begin. “Good advice and a simple helpful program for inner well-being.” —Jack Kornfield, Author, Buddhist practitioner, Spirit Rock Meditation Center Founding Teacher

Each of us is, to a certain extent, dangerous to his or her own health, but how far do we want the government to curb our freedom to be "foolish"? In a look at such highly charged health issues as smoking, alcohol, road safety, and AIDS, Howard Leichter analyzes the efforts of the United States and Great Britain to confront the seemingly constant tension involved with this question. Leichter contends that both governments are now paying less attention to providing access to health care and more to forcing or encouraging people to change their behavior. The result has been a transformation of health politics from a largely consensual to a largely conflictual enterprise: health promotion policies often provoke debate on issues filled with scientific uncertainties, while taking on the quality of a disagreeable moral crusade. A primary concern of this book is to account for the differences, as well as the similarities, between the two countries in their public health policies. Leichter examines, for example, why seat belt regulation flourished in the American states even when federal action was blocked while, in Britain's more concentrated political structure, similar regulation faced a tortuous political path through the Lords and Commons. Finding that the United States is more apt to use formal regulation and that Britain tends toward voluntary agreement, Leichter compares the two approaches. Neither government avoids conflict, he maintains, but regulation, despite its problems, is more effective. Originally published in 1991. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

In "Free to be Holy", Matt Lozano from Heart of the Father Ministries encourages everyone to pursue a life of holiness. Instead of teaching us how to “become holy,” this book boldly proclaims that we already made holy by the blood of Jesus. It is a guide to understanding how Jesus made us and how we can approach a life of holiness with confident faith and joyful hope. The compelling promise of this book is that the pursuit of holiness is not a struggle but an adventure of discovering who we really are in Jesus.

If you grew up in the era of mood rings and lava lamps, you probably remember Free to Be . . . You and Me--the groundbreaking children's record, book, and television special that debuted in 1972. Conceived by actress and producer Marlo Thomas and promoted by Ms. magazine, it captured the spirit of the growing women's movement and inspired girls and boys to challenge stereotypes, value cooperation, and respect diversity. In this lively collection marking the fortieth anniversary of Free to Be . . . You and Me, thirty-two contributors explore the creation and legacy of this popular children's classic. Featuring a prologue by Marlo Thomas, When We Were Free to Be offers an unprecedented insiders' view by the original creators, as well as accounts by activists and educators who changed the landscape of childhood in schools, homes, toy stores, and libraries nationwide. Essays document the rise of non-sexist children's culture during the 1970s and address how Free to Be still speaks to families today. Contributors are Alan Alda, Laura Briggs, Karl Bryant, Becky Friedman, Nancy Gruver, Carol Hall, Carole Hart, Dorothy Pitman Hughes, Joe Kelly, Cheryl Kilodavis, Dionne Kirschner, Francine Klagsbrun, Stephen Lawrence, Laura L. Lovett, Courtney Martin, Karin A. Martin, Tayloe McDonald, Trey McIntyre, Peggy Orenstein, Leslie Paris, Miriam Peskowitz, Deesha Philyaw, Abigail Pogrebin, Letty Cottin Pogrebin, Robin Pogrebin, Patrice Quinn, Lori Rotskoff, Deborah Siegel, Jeremy Adam Smith, Barbara Sprung, Gloria Steinem, and Marlo Thomas. Publisher's Note: Late in the production of this book, the text on pages 252 and 253 was accidentally reversed. As a result, one should read page 253 before turning to page 252 and then proceeding on to page 254. The publisher deeply regrets this error.

Being a teenager has its ups and downs. Being stuck between childhood and adulthood, its hard to know where to fit in. Its an awkward and insecure time of life. There is the desire for independence coupled with a fear of standing out. Free to Be Me: A Book for Teens and Tweens uses relatable cartoon characters to discuss real issues such as stress, peer pressure, bullying, and teen fears. It also offers constructive ways adults can better support teens. Free to Be Me validates the thoughts and experiences teens face on a day-to-day basis. While individual experiences may differ, the overall issues faced do not. Hopefully, the discussions within the books pages prove helpful not just to teens but also to the adults in their worlds.