This is a great day! Why? Because the illustrious Emily Freeman is here, and I like her excessively. And, it’s my birthday! Woot! I’m older than most of you reading this, most likely (and wiser? well, that’s to be determined). And I’m giving away another birdy uncaged necklace. Answer the question at the bottom of this post to be entered to win! I’ll pick a winner Wednesday of next week.

Emily Freeman rocks, and she’s super fun. And she wrote a terrific book, Grace for the Good Girl. which I endorsed And she is a great example of living uncaged to boot. Without further ado, here is Emily!

What would it look like for you to live uncaged in 2012?

I would look a lot less like a manager and a lot more like an artist.

What has prevented you from living a truly free and unencumbered life in the past?

I do this really weird and irrational thing where I imagine scenarios in my head – anything from terrible things happening to me or my family to simply sensing someone’s displeasure or dislike of me. And then I let the craziness rule the day. So instead of living free, I have rushed around trying to manage everyone’s opinion of me. It’s no way to live, let me tell you.

Give my readers advice. What’s one practical thing they can do this year to live uncaged? (This can be silly like dancing in the rain or serious like eat more chocolate.)

Be curious. Sometimes I let fear keep me from my questions. I think that’s a mistake.

Who in your life is an excellent example of living uncaged? Why?

My friend Annie Downs. She’s the bravest girl I know in real life. Why? Because she isn’t afraid to start things. She self-published a book. She moved to Scotland. She loves on teenagers. She wrote about being single at (in)courage even though it was the last thing in the world she wanted to write about. And she isn’t afraid to say no. People who know the balance of yes and no are always mentors to me.

If you could design a Live Uncaged sweatshirt, what would it look like?

Go to pinterest and search the word “graceful” Any of those images could be on the sweatshirt. You’re welcome.

Hooray! Thanks Emily for your sage advice. Now, here’s the final necklace I’m giving away from Barberry and Lace. Another free bird:

Simply answer this question to be entered. If you tweet about the birdie necklace (ha ha), you get another entry (just be sure to make another comment that you tweeted). Same with Facebook. Now here’s the question:

What would it look like in your life if you were less than a manager and more of an artist (to use Emily’s words)?