What is Freedom to You?

bylaurenjean

4.1K followers

6 years ago

Today is FREEDOM Day

Today we celebrate Freedom Day in South Africa to commemorate the 27th April 1994, when we had our very first democratic election.

After this election, the ANC came to power and our revered Madiba, Nelson Mandela took the reins as our President.

It was a momentous, joyous day in our history.

What is Freedom to You?

I'll never forget a quote I learnt in History when studying the French Revolution.

French Philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau said:

"Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains".

As you may know, Nelson Mandela was a political prisoner for many years.

While we may never have been in prison, we certainly all feel imprisoned in many ways, don't we?

What chains are holding you back from achieving success online?

And do you believe someone else is putting these constraints on you?

Because I believe most chains are self imposed.

We may think what's holding us back is:

• Lack of Finances
• Lack of Time
• Lack of Particular Skills, e.g. "I can't write" , "I'm not tech-savvy"
  
• Lack of Experience (I'm too young or I'm too old - I missed the Digital Age)
• Lack of Support

When really our chains are more likely our inner fears coming in to play:

• Fear of Success
  
• Fear of Failure
• Fear of Loss
• Fear of Disappointment
• Fear of What Others May Say
• Fear of Looking Stupid
• Fear of Looking Self Important

Because we know that many others have succeeded under these very same conditions.

No money. Limited Time. No Skills. No Experience. No Support.

Because they have:

• Self Belief
• Determination
• Grit
  
• The ability to Fail Forward
• A resolve to never ever quit
• Resourcefulness
• Enthusiasm
• Passion
• Drive
• Courage
• Discipline
• Appreciation
• Vision
• Willingness
• A sincere and burning desire to help others
• Something they believe in that's far greater than their fears. A mission.

Those who succeed are Coachable. They don't believe in can't. They believe skills can be learned, goals can be achieved and dreams can be lived.

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” – Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom

Are You a Freedom Fighter?

Since time immemorial, people have fought for freedom.

Here are some of the freedoms we have fought for:

• Freedom from Rule
• Freedom from Tyranny
• Freedom from Oppression
• Freedom of Expression
• Freedom of Speech
• Freedom of Equality : Equal Protection, Equal Pay, to be seen as Equal
• Freedom of Religion
• Freedom to Vote
• Freedom to Be Heard
  
• Freedom to Work

As Entrepreneurs and especially as Digital Entrepreneurs, we may be fighting for similar freedoms:

• Freedom from Rule (Freedom to Fire Our Boss)
• Freedom to Be Our Own Boss
• Freedom of Expression (Free Press)
  
• Freedom to Be Ourselves (Authenticity)
• Freedom of Equality
• Freedom to Escape the Rat Race
• Time Freedom (Work our Own Hours, Freedom from Daily Commute to Work)
• Financial Freedom (Earn Residual Income, Earn Passive Income)
  
• Freedom to Travel (Digital Nomads work Anywhere, Anytime)

What does Freedom Mean to You?

For me freedom is many things.

I am free because I can sit here, right now, writing this to you.

I have the freedom to be a stay-at-home, work-from-home, work-from-anywhere Mom.

This gives me the freedom to be with my family whenever I choose.

I can take my son to school and fetch him each day. I can stay home with him if he's not well.

I can take a day off whenever needed. Or just an hour off.

I can pop out to the shops or run errands in the middle of my working day if needs be.

I am free to meet friends for coffee. Or go for a walk on the beach. Or meditate.

I am free to choose how I plan my day, how I allocate my time, how I live my life.

I am free to choose happiness. Peace. Love. Freedom.

I am free to choose.

I am free because I choose to be free.

Are you ready to taste freedom?

To Your Success