The One Thing That We All Want
What is the one thing that we all want? More money? A bigger house? Better health? Perhaps this is the desire of some, but I would argue that the thing most of us want more of deep down is…
Freedom.
Freedom to do the things we love, freedom to take our time, to learn new things and to explore. To not be tied down to schedules, money restraints or obligations. Because when we are free, we have the ability to make decisions for ourselves.
In terms of creativity, we would no longer feel the pressure from others about the things we make. We’d just create the things we love, in a way that feels good to us and share it with the world.
For money, it would mean breaking away from the cycle of “buy more” and feeling completely content with “save more.” It would mean ignoring societal pressure to live up to a superficial standard of outward appearances and let the real person we are on the inside shine instead. When we step away from more, we can build contentment and a sense of enough into our lives which in and of itself, is so freeing.
Regarding personal happiness and wellbeing, freedom would bring the ability to do the things that give us life and empowerment, rather than the things that hold us back. It would allow us to become more aware of the things around us and in us, so that we can fully grasp that our life is important, that we can make a difference and we have a purpose.
In all these scenarios, freedom would mean living a balanced and wholesome life. Not necessarily without rules or hard work, which are both necessary to an operating culture, but with more focus on utilizing our skills and desires to make life more enjoyable.
So how do we find freedom? And is it even possible? Well, like anything else, we have to work at it. Here are a few thoughts…
Make time for the things we love, even when you have to schedule it in.
Become conscious of how we spend our money, so that what we own doesn’t weigh us down physically or financially.
Ask for help. Whether we need to get away for a bit or when we are in circumstances beyond our control that are holding us back, asking for help is always an option.
Don’t conform to what everyone else is doing. This country is made for 9-5 jobs and lifelong career paths to gain “success.” And yes, that might be an easier option, but it’s generally not as fulfilling. We have to think beyond the standards and follow our passions to do the things we love. Even if it means making less money and being a bit unconventional.
Let go. Sometimes it’s just a matter of loosening our grip of our lives and the way it’s supposed to look. Whether we are controlling of other people and circumstances, or holding onto things in the past that tell us we can’t go a certain way. We often just need to give up control and do things in a way that feels right and aligned with our values.
And I would suggest, the most important thing is to keep things in perspective and always be grateful. We can’t always get what we want and freedom isn’t always available as easily as we’d like it. Sometimes life’s circumstances take us to complicated, dark, isolating places. Sometimes we literally cannot break away from the things that are holding us back. And in these cases, freedom may come in a different form. Whether it be a run to the coffee shop, a few minutes reading or mediating. Sometimes just slowing down enough to catch your breath, being grateful and making a plan is enough to alleviate us from the heavier things.
So whatever freedom looks like to you, how can you get closer to it? Comment below or shoot me an e-mail with a few things that you’ve done to find freedom in your life.