Financial independence

As mentioned before freedom does require the individual to take care of themselves, and not depend on anybody for help. In other words, you alone are responsible for your actions, and in case something goes wrong and you don't achieve a certain goal, finding solutions and not pointing fingers is the best way to go.

When we're young, we often depend on our family to make our way in life. This happens, because almost all people until the age of adolescence depend on “a greater authority” for sustenance. Even though in most cases parents do have their children's best interest at heart, trust this: no one can ever know better than you what is good for your own well being, provided you are a reasonable person and have gathered some life experience. This usually happens at around the age of 18.

It is then that people (mainly those living in the Western World), start thinking more about living on their own, thus freeing both themselves and their parents from one another. Most of us find a job at that age. And for many of us, it is just enough to scrape an early living, lacking most of the comforts of living with parents, but being free of all constraints that we might have felt back in the day.

Although a job means that you often have to obey a higher authority (namely your boss, superintendent or whatever), you do this only because you choose to! It is you, who decides for whom you shall work, what will your work consist off, what your real salary can be and so on. Employees are payed for their merit, a most logical and reasonable, albeit a rather tough reality faced by us. Parents providing for their children is also logical and correct, given the fact that it is almost impossible to earn a living before the age of 18. But relying on your parents beyond that age is not only detrimental to your freedom as a human being. Doing so, is in fact hindering your parents right to self determination and thus financial freedom, because their own hard earned money must be spent on caring for an idle person. And, although a parent will never admit it, none of them ever signed up for such a thing. It's basically everyone's loss.

So roll up your sleeves and grab your papers! It's about time you got a foot in the door (if you haven't done so already)! And remember: financial independence is the first step in our otherwise lifelong struggle for personal freedom, and the sooner you start, the better.

3. Being an individual

Without a doubt the greatest thing we can achieve by making use of our right to self determination is, of course, being ourselves. Human beings are unique amongst all the other living things because of their ability to reason. We have thoughts crossing our mind every second of our life, feelings which often suppress gut-instincts and, sometimes, even logic itself, dreams which we pursue in order to fulfill our supreme goal in life and, as many might argue, a soul, which though bounded by our body's material form, pulsates with life and hungers for freedom relentlessly twisting and turning inside us and sometimes even expressing itself in strong outbursts, creating what is known to us as “art”.

Standing apart is always a lot easier said then done. Many plagues befell upon our world since the dawn of civilization which hindered man's creativity, uniqueness and ultimately his supreme right to personal freedom. Such ghastly specters as traditionalism, theocracy, fundamental religions, communism, collectivism in all it's forms and fascism still haunt, unfortunately, most of the developing and undeveloped world. In the West, people (most of the time) are shielded from most of these perils. But herd-mentality is something which even westerners have yet to conquer. The media, the trends and the need to belong to something often come in the way of what you really want to do. Ever felt like expressing yourself in any form (be it art, or simply saying what's on your mind) but stopped short of it, so as not to be judged or even lose the acceptance of those around you? Chances are, the answer is yes. And as you struggle through life, you will find it harder and harder to stick to your guns and stand out from the crowd. Most likely, there will be many more points in your life when you will be prompted to choose between what's good for you and what others think you need.

Life goes on and, with time, it becomes harder and harder to pull away from the grip of a society bent on stamping new members void of any personal beliefs and uniqueness. But it's never too late to break free, as long as we believe in ourselves, and do what we consider best. Be all you want to be!

Finding happiness

And thus we reached our third rather, philosophical goal. What is the meaning of life? Why are we here? Where do we come from? Where are we going? True personal freedom answers all these questions with ease. It doesn't matter where we come from and it is up to us to decide where we're headed. We are here for the sole purpose of living. And the meaning of it all? To be happy!

Even when life got the best you, you will always have your freedom as long as you stay true to yourself and nobody will ever have the right to judge you for your actions (as long as they haven't affected anyone's right to self determination).

The pursuit of personal happiness and realization has nothing to do with trampling others lives and goals. On the contrary actually. Although individualism doesn't force people to share their belongings with others, this doesn't mean that it stands against kindness and charity, as long as it comes from the individual's heart. And never forget! One's right to freedom also implies respecting those around you and their own right to self determination.

And because happiness is so hard to define even for one person at a time, it's up to us to find it for ourselves, cherish it and defend it for our own sake. Far from being selfish, we must fight for personal freedom and, as much as possible, help others in their own struggle.

Is it a glorious career you are looking for? Or maybe you are striving for personal development? Or maybe you just want some peace and quiet, and to live a happy life with those close to you? What ever floats your boat really! As long as you're not disrupting anyone's exercise of their personal freedom, it's fair game! Finding happiness is your duty!

The conclusion

Dear reader, I hope today's lecture has helped you get a better understanding of the meaning of true freedom and shed some light on what are our rights and responsibilities towards society, towards each other and most importantly towards yourself! Throughout history, many have payed the ultimate price in the struggle for democracy and liberty. We owe it to those brave people to cherish our personal freedom and stand tall whenever a threat rears it's ugly head and tries to snatch it away from us.

Stay free!

Questions:

1. What does personal freedom mean to you? Can you define it in your own words?

2. What do you think are the greatest challenges to one's freedom?

3. Is personal freedom worth all the responsibilities that come with it? Would you relinquish freedom for a greater sense of security?

4. If ignorance is bliss, than why should we even consider finding happiness through freedom?

5. “No sword cuts off a bowed head” (saying). What's your take on this statement? Do you agree with it?

6. Financial freedom or free time? Which one do you think is more important and why?

7. Can there be freedom without responsibilities?

8. Can freedom be “exported” to other countries?

9. Would you rather live in a totalitarian state, or in a state of total anarchy? Why?

10. What do you consider the greatest form of expressing one's freedom? Why?

11. If you could have any right (existing) in the world “imported” to your country, what would it be? Why?

12. If you had the possibility to live in any country you wanted, where would you move and why?

13. At what age do you think people enjoy most personal freedom and why?

14. Which of these are more important to you: freedom or money? Why?

15. Do you think freedom can be misunderstood? How do you think a person can abuse of his or her freedom? What can be done to solve such a problem?

Key words:

freedom

independence

to pledge

tyranny

party

individual

will

unquestionable

self determination

goal

authority

sustenance

one's well being

to scrape a living

merit

to struggle

gut-instinct

plague

specter

to haunt

herd-mentality

to stick to one's guns

to stand out

to prompt

to stay true to oneself

to trample

personal belongings

to disrupt

to rear one's head

to cherish

to snatch

Date: 2016-01-14; view: 700