Doing what you like is freedom

It's more of the global experience of hate for slavery that gives immense support to freedom. One cannot define freedom completely, without mentioning the natural opponent- slavery. It's the hate for slavery that puts us in bracket fir liking the freedom so much. Freedom is like boundless energy given to you to do whatever you want. Say there are always clutches by society to stop you from doing something (you want to get a masters in Arts but your parents want you to get a masters in Science or Engineering because there is job guarantee).

In this case your freedom is hindered. You may even join Science and eventually win a Nobel, but in your heart you will always have that pain that you did not chase your dreams. But freedom boosts creativity. You are free to make mistakes and learn how to avoid those mistakes when you are on that job the next time. You are free to go on to any stage, however you like. Having a bachelors degree, I can tell you this: we were mostly compelled by Professors to attend the classes for attendance. There was almost no learning happening in classrooms.

Do I mean that if we give freedom, we always tend to grow in a positive direction? No, every time that will not happen. But there is no growth if there is no risk. Freedom gives you wings. You can fly high or you can curse that. Achievers with their mindset will reap the most of their freedom. I find a lot more satisfaction on the freedom to try and fail repeatedly—and then to lie there beaten and then realize, "I can do this!!" Then to get up on my feet and try one more time and succeed! All on my own. With the power to use my intellect and my physical strength to get to the proverbial finish line.

To live in a country that draws so many here, with so much less because they know (and have heard) that they can have the opportunity to succeed, is staggering! Let us hear: Emma Lazarus' words on the "Statue Of Liberty":

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, (my emphasis)

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

It is just a human and social construct. For different people, the interpretation is different. To answer this question we need to first define what freedom is. Without going into too much complications I would say that freedom is the social acceptance of my activities which do not harm others in direct or indirect manner. This encompasses almost all forms of "freedoms". I love freedom. I believe that on an average humans have positive impact on the civilization. You can always do whatever you want in secrecy, hidden away. You can be a good poet and can write revolutionary poems.

Unless your actions are accepted by society they will not reach others and will not have impact. After all we are social animals ( I think this is a good generalization for humans). We like to relate to other people. Our actions as a whole determines how society is moving towards future. If we try to block this natural process of civilization betterment, we will end up in dark ages. You have to compromise on the definition of freedom in order to make it applicable to your life. It is almost as if there is a restriction for every freedom that you have.

One great example of this is the freedom of speech. You can say what you want to at anytime, but it could land you in jail or worse. We are subject to the governing body that owns the mass of land we are standing on. Everything that you do has to be within the boundaries of their rules. This is virtually inescapable as there is no place on Earth that isn't owned by some governing body of sorts. This is made worse by those bodies that try to make all of your decisions for you as they become expansionist and grow like a cancer. Cheers!