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Finding Freedom: What Does It Truly Mean?
Yesterday was the 4th of July, and Americans celebrated Independence Day. This annual celebration filled with fireworks and food filled gatherings commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, which marked the birth of this new nation freed from British rule. For the American colonists, freedom meant escaping a system where the distant monarch, King George III, dictated their lives and imposed crippling and unfair taxes without their consent. It signified a yearning for self-determination, a chance to build a society based on liberty, justice and the “pursuit of happiness” for all.
But what does freedom truly mean? As someone who emigrated from Britain and became a U.S. citizen myself, I see that this move for freedom was completely justified and it is a trait I admire in the American spirit, especially as an entrepreneur myself. It is a good time to reflect on what freedom means to us personally.
Different Types of Freedom
Freedom isn’t a singular concept; it encompasses a spectrum of experiences. Here are some ways we might define and experience freedom:
- Physical Freedom: The ability to move around without restriction, to travel, and to live where you choose. During Covid the whole world experienced the loss of that freedom and the majority of us didn’t like it one bit. It felt stifling and restrictive and cause
- Mental / Emotional Freedom: Freedom from fear, anxiety, and negative thoughts. The ability to think independently and express yourself openly. It also includes ability to feel your emotions without judgment and to express them in a healthy way. This freedom is mainly within your own power, but if you have physical or mental health problems you may not be able to access that freedom.
- Financial Freedom: Having the resources to meet your basic needs and live comfortably without feeling weighed down by financial trapped by debt.
- Freedom of Choice: The ability to make your own decisions about your body, life, career, growth and relationships. It includes the ability to make decisions free from the undue influence of others. Inherent in it is a belief that we are all very different and our choices are influenced by our unique values, beliefs, and desires. Along with this personal autonomy comes the responsibility for your actions and their consequences, fostering a sense of control and self-determination.
- Freedom of Speech: The right to express your opinions and beliefs without censorship. A freedom which is not available to people in several countries even today.
The pursuit of freedom is an ever changing, lifelong journey. It requires self-reflection, self-awareness, courage, and the willingness to challenge limitations, both internal and external.
Journaling exercise
Contemplate or journal on the following questions:
- Reflect on a time you felt truly free. What circumstances contributed to this feeling? What type of freedom did you experience?
- Think about a situation where you felt restricted. What type of freedom was lacking? How did it impact you, and how did you cope?
- Imagine a world with unlimited freedom. What positive outcomes can you envision? Are there any potential downsides?
- Freedom is often an ongoing pursuit. What steps can you take in your daily life to nurture different aspects of freedom – physical, mental, emotional etc.?
Let me know in the comments below! What does freedom mean to you?