What Is Freedom?
What does freedom mean? We seek it, we desire it but do we know what it means to us?
If you google the definition of freedom you will see it defined as …. ”the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants”
So why in a country, in a society where we have freedom of speech and equal rights and for most of us the right to say, think and do what we please, why are so many people seeking freedom rather than living it?
Why do we not feel free?
Firstly, I have to say a dictionary definition is all well and good but what about your soul.
What does freedom mean to you? Truly to your soul?
What, especially if you seek freedom, does it actually look and feel like to you?
Is it an abstract ideal you seek or is it a defined place with measurable parameters?
How will you know when you have reached it?
How will you know when you are finally free, when you finally have the freedom you seek?
If you don’t know who you are at your core, who you uniquely and authentically are as an individual how will you know when you feel free, when you have attained freedom?
Can you ever feel true freedom without acknowledging, connecting with and knowing who you are at your core? Who you are quirks and all!!
I don’t think freedom can be truly felt until we know who we authentically are and connect with that incredible person!
Aside from that I also think that freedom may have been inadvertently challenged by the desire or drive to be perfect and the need to get somewhere other than where you are.
I see so many people, and I have fallen into this trap also, trying to be perfect……..
The perfect parent
The perfect student
The perfect child
The perfect son/daughter
The perfect partner
The perfect friend
The perfect employee
The perfect business owner
The perfect writer
The list could go on and on.
Perfection is judged or ruled by those outside of us.
How others judge us to be.
How others see us.
The pursuit of perfection is rarely driven by our internal desires or passion but by our need to be seen a certain way. To ensure others like us, or even admire us. To ensure we aren’t judged harshly by others. To gain acceptance.
Can we therefore strive for perfection and freedom?
I don’t think so!
Perfection is judged, usually by others, so often by unidentified standards.
Perfection is something we fruitlessly strive for.
Freedom is a feeling and an acceptance that you are worthy, you are enough, you are unique, you are perfectly imperfect, just as you are.
What about when we are constantly striving for something we don’t yet have. When we are always working for and focusing on a goal, on the future, on possibilities, on the next thing.
I don’t think this is freedom either.
Freedom is being in this moment or it doesn’t exist.
Focusing on and appreciating the now, the you in this moment, regardless of where you currently sit on the timeline of any of your goals, is where freedom resides.
So what do I think freedom is?
Freedom is knowing you.
Freedom is being honest.
Freedom is being you.
Freedom is accepting you are doing your best in this moment.
Freedom is acting based on your passions, your desires, the calling of your soul.
Freedom is now.
Ask your self “What is freedom to me? What would it take for me to feel free now?”
Freedom is a feeling, not a place, not a thing, not an achievement. Freedom is a feeling and acceptance of your power within you!
And here is the key …. You are free to believe whatever you choose to believe freedom is! Don’t let me tell you and don’t let anyone else!! Your freedom, your definition, is up to you. The key to freedom is to take what feels aligned with you and your soul and leave the rest, with love and acceptance.
No one else, including me can tell you what freedom means to you, what it feels like to you.
I guess the only question really worth asking is actually “What does freedom mean to YOU?” What I, or anyone else thinks may not be relevant to you at all.
It is up to you to define it and to own what it means to you but stop seeking it, find it in your now.