Happiness, that elusive and treasured state of being, often seems out of reach — especially during what most of us would call “difficult circumstances.”
How does one possibly love their life when they are going through a divorce, struggling with infertility, have a child who is making bad choices, have lost a loved one, are struggling with a chronic illness, or any other similar situation?
The key to a deeply fulfilling and joyful life, regardless of circumstances, is creating more freedom.
Freedom: The Answer
Freedom is an innate and powerful aspiration within the human spirit; It is something that we as humans yearn for in the deep recesses of our souls.
It has been a driving force for individuals and societies throughout history, and the quest for freedom from tyranny has been a defining chapter in our shared history.
But this desire for liberty goes far beyond the political realm.
It extends to our ability to make our own decisions and, ultimately, to shape the experiences of our lives.
As a life coach, I often encounter individuals grappling with this fundamental human drive for freedom.
They feel stuck. They feel trapped. They feel like they don’t really have choices. They feel like they have to do things or be a certain way.
And all this leads to the struggle to love their life as it is.
But let’s begin by exploring the concept of freedom from tyranny.
A famous quote by Thomas Jefferson captures the essence of this struggle well:
“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”
This profound statement underlines the relentless pursuit of freedom by those who have been oppressed by tyrannical rule.
If you turn on the news or scroll through social media today, you will quickly see stories of those willing to sacrifice their very lives for freedom.
But the desire to break free from the chains of tyranny is not merely a political or historical event; it’s deeply ingrained in our human nature.
It reflects our yearning for self-determination and autonomy.
Freedom isn’t limited to overthrowing oppressive rulers. It extends to our everyday lives, where we seek the autonomy to make our own decisions.
To illustrate this point, let’s turn to a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson:
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
This speaks to our inner struggle to maintain our individuality despite societal pressures and expectations.
Our quest for personal freedom is an ongoing journey marked by our choices and the ability to forge our own path, irrespective of external influences.
As a life coach, I often guide individuals in recognizing their intrinsic desire for freedom in decision-making.
When we have the autonomy to choose our path, we experience a deeper sense of fulfillment and purpose.
Freedom in decision-making is not only about the choices we make but also the responsibility that comes from those choices.
Responsibility
“Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
This quote emphasizes that freedom isn’t merely about pursuing our desires without consequences. It entails taking responsibility for our choices and their impact on our lives and those around us.
And that responsibility gives us even more freedom.
When we take responsibility, we free ourselves of victim mentality, one of the many shackles that keep us in bondage.
Your Experience of Life
Finally, the pursuit of freedom encompasses the ability to determine our own life experiences.
Viktor E Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and renowned psychiatrist, beautifully encapsulated this aspect when he wrote,
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
Even in the most challenging circumstances, humans seek freedom in their inner worlds.
We can choose our attitudes, responses, and interpretations, allowing us to shape our experience of life.
Breaking Free: The Pursuit of Freedom
True happiness often begins with a sense of freedom. It’s the feeling of liberation from self-imposed limitations and societal constraints. The freedom to be your authentic self, to pursue your passions, and to make choices that resonate with your innermost desires. It’s the freedom to be who you want to be and do what you want to do — without limitations. Here’s how freedom contributes to your happiness:
- Cherishing Yourself: To live free means embracing who you are. When you accept yourself as you are and allow yourself to just be you, you pave the way for a more joyful life.
- Managing Your Mind: Your thoughts are not you. When you learn how to manage your mind, rather than letting it manage you, you gain freedom over your own thoughts. You are free to change your perspective. That means you don’t have to believe everything your brain offers, which makes happiness a billion times more accessible.
- Feeling Your Feelings: Emotions like fear, self-doubt, overwhelm, and shame can be crippling. Freedom allows you to feel your emotions without reacting to them or letting them control you, breaking free from their shackles. This gives you the freedom to be who you want to be and do what you want to do. By doing so, you’re on the path to a happier, more fulfilling existence.
- Accepting Reality: When you’re not busy arguing with reality, you are free to create. To create the life you want, the relationships you want, the body you want, the marriage you want, the career you want, the money you want, etc. When you create what you want (rather than arguing with what is), happiness follows.
- Taking Responsibility: When you take responsibility, you free yourself from victim mentality—free from blame, excuses, justifications, hiding, covering up, avoiding, complaining, demanding, entitlement, self-pity, procrastinating, and indecision. These are all things that keep happiness out of reach.
- Embracing Your Choices: Even in challenging circumstances, freedom lies in your capacity to make choices. When you exercise this power, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, it gives you a sense of autonomy and control over your life, which leads to more happiness.
- Pursuing Passions: Freedom grants you the opportunity to pursue your passions wholeheartedly. Happiness naturally follows when you do what you love as you align with your true self.
This is what Live Free. Love Life. is all about.
Questions to Consider
- Where do you feel stuck? Why?
- Where do you feel trapped? Why?
- Where does it feel like you don’t really have a choice? Why?
- Where do you not feel free to be who you want to be and do what you want to do? Why?
Join me on this journey as we discuss how to create more freedom for ourselves so you can truly love your life at the highest level, no matter what you’re going through.
Live Free. Love Life.