How To Achieve Instant Freedom
Posted on 4 September 2009
Freedom can mean different things to different people however its important to have a few lifelines laid down that you can implement into to life to degree some degree of Freedom. So what exactly is freedom? It’s defined as “the capacity to determine your own choices” or to be able to handle all kinds of situations with ease and a sense of being independent of fate and necessity.
Realize You Are Yourself – When we take a step back and remember that we aren’t our thinking, or our bodies but something far deeper than that and the consciousness beneath it all. Life becomes a lot lighter and more peaceful. We lose that sense of separateness from everything and everyone. This makes things like arguments and all petty problems in life fade away as in essence they aren’t affecting you but your ego or what you think is yourself. You will always have that calm beneath all of the thoughts, grudges, anxiety, or fear which always prevail. If you let negative feelings pass and get in a habit of letting them go your natural calm, peaceful and loving self will come out.
Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better. ~Albert Camus
Life can’t always be or feel good but knowing that things will always get better and everything is workable is something important to remember when you’re feeling trapped mentally or with some problem in your life. This is something I have slowly come to realize and sometimes forget during day to day life but if you can keep it in your mind through tough times your sense of freedom will return.
Everyone Wants The Same Thing - The truth is regardless of how badly or nastily some people may sometimes act they are all doing it for the same reason; To feel safe, protected, and at ease in the world. Knowing this can help calm even the most troubled times. Do you remember the last time you got really upset or strongly argued a point? How were you feeling at the time? I bet it was uncomfortable and you were confrontational or argumentative in order to get a point across to make yourself feel more at ease…..
This is the same for us all, even though it may not look that way at the time people just want to feel Safe and Happy and sometimes this can be projected in the wrong way. In which we can take offense or think badly of the other person. Simply knowing that most everyone’s thoughts, actions and doings are ultimately to feel safe and at ease can make you feel at ease. This comes down to looking at the other perspective on whatever life throws at you……..
Eat and Exercise to Feel Good - Feeling free can also come down to how your body and mind feel. If your ability to handle stress is good and you feel in good shape things become far easier. Taking care of yourself through a mix of moderate exercise and eating good food will liberate the way you feel. One point to emphasize is not to let your diet or exercise plans compromise your freedom by stopping you from doing things like attending social situations or generally going with the flow of life. Having a healthy body and mind will allow you to be free to do whatever you want in life.
Give Time To Relaxation - Relaxation methods are the best path to instant freedom. When you have a set way to relax and unwind whether its meditation, deep breathing or a warm bath it allows us to feel at peace as we know that whatever life throws at us can be managed and dealt with. Its important to know much of our thinking is state dependent. If you realize that problems will seem far deeper when in a stressful environment and that your perspective can change by simply taking a step back and relaxing life becomes a lot less serious. When stressed we are in a flight or fight mode and the adrenaline makes the world a scarier place…..
Relaxation time can shift your thinking and perspectives changing your view on reality. Try and learn/make time to implement some sort of relaxation or meditation into your life.
Don’t Bear Attachment – When we become too attached to anything material emotions such as greed, jealousy and fear develop none of the constructive towards feeling free and at peace. Remembering that possessions can always be replaced and that really they mean very little can be immensely liberating. You can start by dropping labels of “mine” or “yours” that we place on items. This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t take pride in things we have or own but see items for what they are and drop the serious attachment that many of us bear towards material possessions. The most important things in life like our bodies, our relationships and family are the things we should put effort into maintaining and taking care of.
Create Your Own Path - It’s easy to get lost on someone else’s winding road, doing work for someone else or slaving around for no real purpose. You can find joy doing what you like to do, Although its not available to everyone right now its something to work towards. Have goals, aim’s and dreams they are what push you through the hard times and simply knowing that one day they are achievable is freedom in itself. Carry round a notebook and jot down ideas and inspiration however pointless it may seem at the time. Don’t worry if you are unsure what to do with yourself purpose will find you when you least expect it. Don’t search for purpose it will find you…….
Comment by Verity
4 September 2009
Liked this post Chris. Very relevant for a Friday! It reminded me of what my Mum says – what you put in is what you get out.
@ Verity: Thanks maybe we should call it Freedom Friday
It was really just a collection of thoughts and notes that struck me over the last few weeks….
Comment by Coffee and Vanilla
4 September 2009
Thank you for this post… all that is sooo true!
Comment by Kat
4 September 2009
I’m a regular reader and agree with/practice a lot that you post about and although I don’t always comment I couldn’t let this post slip by without saying you’re awesome. Every point you made has also pasted through my mind as well (the connection has to be with regular exercise and cleaning eating I say!) Great work.
Comment by Jennifer
5 September 2009
Great post! At the heart of all my pursuits, the true motivation for everything I do, I realize that freedom is my very top priority…I even had it tattooed on my body! This is a really wonderful breakdown on how to achieve it.
Comment by Lindsay
5 September 2009
Hi, really nice post, thank you!
Lindsay
Comment by Deb
5 September 2009
“If you find a good solution and become attached to it, the solution may become your next problem” Robert Anthony
Whilst training and nutrition are important- don’t forget to feed the soul.
Great post.
Deb
@ Deb: Great quote. In my books feeding the soul and having a healthy mind is No.1, Fitness and Nutrition comes next……
Comment by Hans Hageman
5 September 2009
I am an educator in Harlem and the the founder of a school for poor girls in India. The lessons you’ve set forth should be part of the curriculum in our high schools. Unfortunately, standardization in our school system has kept us from achieving our human potential in intellect and fitness.
Comment by Dan
6 September 2009
Great Post, I love your site!
Dan
Fernandina Beach, FL
Comment by Paul Maurice Martin
6 September 2009
“Don’t worry if you are unsure what to do with yourself purpose will find you when you least expect it. Don’t search for purpose it will find you…….”
Great observation. While goal setting, prioritizing and decision making are certainly important and have their place, our own conscious cleverness can only take us so far in finding a direction in life.