The word freedom means something different to each one of us. According to Wikipedia , as a philosophy it can refer to liberty or free will. It could be financial freedom, personal freedom, political freedom or time freedom. It is a sense of being free of constraints or being released from something that is limiting us.
For me, freedom is many things but in the highest realm it is my freedom to live in the United States. I recently became a US permanent resident after dreaming of such for 44 years. Anyone who has walked this road, would understand the sense of joy of achieving this freedom. Of course, this is the beginning of the journey to freedom, not the end. It gives me the ability to build the business of my dreams and work with people who I had only ever read about.
I know that my desire to live in here in the USA is shared by millions across the globe. The United States is the country that most represents freedom and the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of universal freedom and democracy. There are so many inspirational stories of Americans born in difficult circumstances and yet they still manage to achieve the incredible heights of personal success and live their dreams. The United States is a depository of some of the world’s richest talents as immigrants have come here from every corner of the globe and contributed their talents to pursuing the American dream.
But freedom is really a feeling that comes as a lack of constriction or restriction. It can be a feeling that you sense when you pursue a pleasure such as horse-riding, skiing, hiking or cycling.
Freedom can be the ability to work from home and have more time with your family. Freedom can be the experience of not having any financial worries.
I think freedom can best be described as God-given and comes from within so whatever your life, you can choose to have freedom if that is your desire. We can create freedom out of anything – it is all in our mind.
This can best be illustrated by Nelson Mandela who never lost the sense of freedom even though he was a prisoner for 23 years. Can you just imagine that? I highly recommend you read: “Long Road to Freedom” the auto-biography of Nelson Mandela. It will cause you to pause each time you complain….
I look forward to your feedback on what freedom means to you. Be sure to subscribe to my regular updates on the form to the right!
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
This can be a serious problem for anyone who isn’t free in their very own mind. Genuinely, that person is not free in any respect. One must take a step back and ensure that it is a priority to be free from this imprisonment.
if we are not free in our minds, we are certainly not free in any regard.
Thanks for your valued comment.
Clare
Great question!
To me freedom is as you described: “God-given and comes from within so whatever your life, you can choose to have freedom if that is your desire. We can create freedom out of anything – it is all in our mind.”
When we realize that it is a gift and begins in our mind then we can experience real freedom. Looking for freedom in outside conditions does not allow us to experience freedom.
Thanks Clare
Perry A Davis Jr
Music City USA
Freedom. What a question!
In the past 5 years I have gone to wanting to “retire” at 30 to realizing I don’t really work now. I enjoy everything I do and more fun and exciting opportunities continue to come along.
The financial success that I used to define freedom by seems to have less and less clout in my life. Now, freedom is merely the opportunity to stay healthy, learn as much as possible, a have the ability to help people in need.
Thanks for getting me to think about this. It was awesome!
Have a great day!
Joe
To me, freedom is being successful at what I love doing, not suffering day after day doing something I hate, to survive. Freedom is not having having to worry about money, enjoying life to the fullest and living comfortably with my wife. Freedom is being able to travel and have quality time-freedom. Last but not least, freedom means to live the life that my Heavenly Father wants me and my wife to live, because that’s where true peace, joy and freedom is.
Hi Clare. Congratulations on becoming a US Citizen. I could not agree more with you that America is truly the land of opportunity. A place where entrepreneurs have the freedom to shape the world as they see fit. Congrats! Scott Pollov
Well, congratulations first of all. It amazes me how may people are lucky enough to wins life’s lottery and be born in this country and still complain. It is like you say, Freedom is in the mind first and then expressed outwardly and shared as a gift for others willing to receive.
Gary, there are complainers everywhere and there are people who get up and change their lives no matter where they are born! I guess we call that human nature!
Hi Clare,
What a thought-provoking post! Congratulations on becoming a US citizen! I agree with others who said that that US citizenship and its freedoms are sometimes taken for granted when you’re born here.
As far as my own freedoms, I think I would say, I want the freedom of healthy mind and body. My goal is to be financially free, so I can enjoy my family, without worry or stress, experience the world, and help those around me. I think it’s possible when you have a healthy body and positive mindset. You brought up Nelson Mandela, and I can’t imagine being imprisoned for 23 years. His mind belonged to him, though, and what a powerful lesson for us all.
Best,
Jennifer
Clare,
Congratulations! I truly can appreciate what it means to you. I can’t define freedom without including the word ‘choice.’ No matter the context, freedom to me is having the ability to make a choice…A choice in how I spend my day, a choice in what I do for a living, where I live, where I go, etc…. Freedom is being able to make choices for myself and my family.
As a side note…. whenver I hear “The American Dream” I’m reminded that I’ve never heard anything similar from any other country in the world. I’ve never read about people pursing “The Brazilian Dream” or “The Danish Dream” or “The Italian Dream” or “The Chinese Dream” or “The Botswana Dream”…… or any other country you could name. Yet, “The American Dream” seems to be something known around the world. There is a great deal to be said about that…..
To your continued success,
Robin
Great post Clare. Freedom means to me doing what I want, when I want to, and having the money to enjoy it. When I really look at it it’s really time freedom that everyone wants. Most people can’t have the time freedom when they’re stuck in a job, someone else controls their time.
Michael
Hi Clare,
I can relate to your feeling of freedom when you got the right to live where you want to live.
When I got my New Zealand citizenship I felt like hugging the whole world, since this country felt like home the first time I arrived and I feel so blessed to live here.
The question of freedom usually brings Nelson Mandala and Viktor Frankl to mind. Thanks for the title of the book.
Thanks for your Article.
Love and Joy
from
Yorinda
Welcome to the US, Clare! OK, I know you’ve been here a while, but now you’re official
I agree with Karin that being healthy and happy is most of what freedom is about, but there is also something intangible about feeling free. It has to do with knowing that you can move around freely and do whatever you want as long as it’s legal and doesn’t cause harm to anyone else.
Thanks for sharing your take on the US. We tend to forget that not everywhere else shares our privileges.
Alan
Hi Clare, what a thought provoking post. What does freedom mean? I agree that the answer varies with the person answering the question. I guess my definition of freedom is to be healthy and happy. If those two requirements are met, everything else will fall into place. And you could argue that health fits within being happy. But since it is such an important aspect of our being I am sticking with both.
Karin.
thanks Karen! I can personally relate to the health freedom concept. Along my varied life journey, I contracted a chronic illness some 15 years ago. It stopped me in my tracks and changed my life direction. However, today I believe it was a prodding from GOD to move towards my purpose and away from doing a job I wasn’t cut out to do! So, sometimes a short term loss of freedom can be a good thing and move us towards greater freedom. Thanks for your valued comment!
I’ve always said I won’t put a price on my freedom. Having the ability to make more money because I got paid what I put into it is very powerful. Today more companies are asking for more hours and paying LESS. Something is wrong with that picture.
Also, being able to do what you want every day is something I would never give up. No way! Don’t get me wrong. I will work on my computer (business) sometimes at 2am, but it’s my choice to do it.
Freedom is the ultimate choice.
Regards,
Mike
Hi Mike, thanks for dropping by! Yes, being able to work your own hours and get paid according for the effort you make is one of the reasons we have all chosen to be entrepreneurs. It is our freedom of choice.
Have a great week. Clare
Clare,
Beautiful, touching post, thanks so much. To me, freedom is the ability to create the life that I desire and create happiness, connection, and deeper love. As you say, living in the US (where I was born, so I DO take it for granted sometimes) gives us such an incredible opportunity to do this. It is something to really appreciate. Appreciation is one of the big tools I use in my life and in my work as a relationship counselor with my couples and singles.
Thanks again,
Adam
thanks Adam for your heart-felt response to freedom. I am glad that I have raised your awareness of the opportunity to live in a free country. Sometimes we are all so pre-occupied with the sand, we forget the rocks! Freedom is the largest rock of all. Blessings, Clare
Clare,
Thanks for sharing. I really like your blog posts. How best to put this. I was born in the USA and never had to think about personal freedom, I just took it for granted. I have read books of others living in countries at war, poverty, but you are the first that I personally have heard. I admire what you have done to gain your freedom and come to the US. Look forward to more of your posts. Thanks to TSA. rebecca
Thanks Rebecca for dropping by. I look forward to learning more about you too in your posts. TSA rocks! There are amazing people in this syndicate who are very helpful and friendly. Don’t hesitate to ask if there is anything I can assist you with anytime. Blessings,Clare
Hi Clare,
Many of us that live in the U.S. lose sight of the fabulous life that we have here. We take our freedoms for granted. Freedom is the right to believe what I choose, worship as I choose and make life choices that are all mine, even if they are wrong!
Congratulations on your Citizenship! We are lucky to have you as a fellow countrywoman!
Mentor Mama
Hi Mentor Mama, thanks for dropping by! Isn’t it wonderful just being able to make choices each and every day? Have a fabulous week. Blessings, Clare
Hi Clare,
I think this subject is very important. Not very many people talk about what freedom means to them. There are so many freedoms we take for granted and we need to stop and reflect on what makes us special. There’s not very many places where you can become financially free like here in the U.S. I cant think of one freedom as better than the other but we can choose to make a better life for ourselves and our friends and family in so many ways. What a great place to be. Thanks for a fantastic post Clare!
Hi Rick, thanks for your input on freedom. I am glad to have been able to remind you of the wonders of the USA. I am so excited to meet so many inspired US entrepreneurs and although there are many in our group that come from other countries, the USA does lead the way! Have a fabulous week. blessings, Clare
Hi Clare,
I absolutely LOVE this post–and I happened on it as I was approving your comment on my post! So it was meant for me to read this post! Freedom is so cool because it gives us more life choices. I love helping others, and when I have freedom, I am coming from a position of strength and have more resources from which draw upon.
So glad you made it to the States! All the best, Linda
thanks for your kind words, Linda! I am so glad to be finally settling here in the USA and truly start my journey of freedom. Have a fabulous week, blessings Clare
Hi Clare,
Nice article! Made me stop and think, which is always a good thing… So for me, the ultimate freedom is about being where I want to be, when I want, doing what makes me happy. That probably sounds selfish but I say this with my family in mind. I guess it boils down to geographic mobility(I like the sunshine which can be scarce in England!). To achieve this I need to have a business which is able to run on autopilot and the financial wherewithall to enable it all. It’s a lofty goal but that’s what I’m aiming for.
Regards,
Andrew
Hi Andrew, to run your own business and aim high like you are doing is a great freedom. I know you write often about your corporate life that you led before starting your internet biz and I am sure that didn’t feel very free! I know you are moving towards great success and I look forward to working with you and watching your journey unfold. Blessings, Clare
Wow! Great post.
There is nothing like Time and Financial Freedom,
Health is number one.
I developed residual income 15 years ago and it is great to be Free today!
Hi Maggie, Wow 15 years ago! Awesome!!! You are a product of the product and that is inspirational! I agree that the ultimate freedom is our health and so many people forget this until it is too late. I am trained in many aspects of health and healing so it is a passion of mine! In fact, my kids can be funny sometimes as they explain ingredients to everyone – they are great label detectives! have a fabulous week and thanks for dropping by.
regards
Clare
Freedom. Kinda like “kingdom” without the king!
To me, there are many kinds of freedom. Physical, Mental, Emotional. Good health in these areas have a lot to do with what kinds of freedom you can enjoy.
Of course, many people associate freedom with financial concerns. If you have enough money, you’ll be pretty much free to do whatever you want to.
Here’s my short definition: Doing mostly what you want to, almost always when you want to do it.
I’m workin’ on it!
Mtn Jim
Hi Jim, you are right – there are many types of freedom and health has to be one of the key freedoms. I pray you are having an awesome few days in the mountains, now that must be freedom to you, although maybe not to me which proves that the definition of freedom varies amongst us all.
thanks for dropping by. Look forward to Thursday.
Blessings
Clare