Freedom

The noun freedom is defined as: the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint, the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved, the exemption from external control, the absence of or release from ties.

Whenever I explore this concept, the first word that’s comes to my mind when discussing freedom is choice. For me, freedom is entirely about being free to choose.

One of our greatest superpowers as human beings is our freedom to choose how to respond to life and how to react with thought, care and wisdom, integrity, passion and kindness to the many experiences and triggers we face daily. It is also our most underused strength in that we are often so incredibly unaware of the tremendous impact we have on our own happiness and success - just by virtue of the millions of tiny choices we get to make daily.

Think about it, from the moment we rise, we are making choices: from what to eat and what to wear to what we say to our families to how we function in the workplace or at home, within our social circles and communities or online globally. In fact, some experts wholeheartedly claim that our life is in theory a sum of all the choices we ultimately make.

Don’t get me wrong, we are seeing more so than ever before that there is plenty in life we have absolutely no say or control over whatsoever, but our freedom of choice as to what we decide to do with our life's experience and how we handle whatever comes our way is entirely on us. Entirely up to us.

To be free means to walk through life's journey with the ability to choose in favor of one's core values and to live them authentically. Free to do what is right for you.

To be free means to follow a new dream or a clearer vision without the shackles and chains of heavy past failures and 'unforgivable' mistakes. Learn from them, pick the most valuable lessons and be free to move on and look forwards. Free to keep going!

To be free means to take new risks and give yourself permission to fly, and possibly to fall, and then to get back up and fly again. Because we can. Free to give it a try!

To be free means to open your eyes to all that’s truly possible and free to shut your ears to the doubt, fear and judgments of those who don’t yet believe. We are free to decide what to focus on and where to dedicate our resources. Free to envision!

To be free means to potentially see magic and miracles where others may see absolutely nothing. Free to believe!

To be free means to listen to the gentle inner voices of encouragement, hope and optimism, despite significant challenges, obstacles and effort that lies ahead. Whatever we shine a spotlight on, grows. We are free to choose where to direct our torches!

To be free means to live, work, play and love surrounded by people who bring out the best in you and make you smile. We are free to choose which relationships and friendships are important to us and invest wholeheartedly in those. Free to choose our circles!

To be free means to speak with wisdom, thought and sincerity and to carefully select words that uplift both yourself and those around you. We are free to control our gift of speech. Free to transform!

To be free means to live right now, in the present moment with a mindful approach to everything we choose do – not tied to the weight of the past or the anxiety of an unknown future. We are free to just BE!

To be free means to be deeply thankful. To be free to openly and exquisitely express gratitude and appreciation for everyone and everything that blesses our path. The freedom to say "thank you" - the most magical words!

To be free means that for me to win, no one else has to lose. We are free to play an infinite game where the winners grows in relation to who they were before. Free to grow!

Freedom is an ideal that we strive for daily.

Freedom enables us to become more of ourselves.

Most of us feel the pressure and stress of big commitments, burdens and numerous obligations inside and outside our home and career where our busy lifestyles coupled with the fast-paced rhythm of technology, speed and innovation is setting a life pace sometimes seemingly too fast for us to maximize. Terrorism, Pandemic, Poverty, Starvation, Political Strife, Chaos Worldwide - Perhaps the most recent lock-downs are allowing us to re-purpose and redefine what freedom really means in a world completely overwhelmed with a health, financial, political and social crisis? Within all this, what does freedom mean for you right now?

As a personal development leadership coach and life strategist, I am reminded of the powerful story of the bird who had magnificent plumage. He would fly over the forest searching for twigs and leaves that matched his beauty in the hope of constructing a worthy nest. After countless attempts the bird decided to pluck how own feathers and his them to build a nest that would satisfy him. He did. And he proudly sat in this glorious nest. But he could no longer fly.

We are free to choose.

We are never free from the consequences of our choices.

Freedom requires energy, effort and sacrifice.

Freedom requires saying no to something to allow a yes to other things.

Freedom is not easy or simple.

Freedom has a price.

Freedom requires accountability and responsibility.

Freedom demands courage.

The courage to be free to choose and yet never free from the consequences of our choice.

Pesach reminds me that freedom is not only about my own private choices to live fully, but also about how important it is for me to make "seder" in my life. It is a time of renewal and a time to create order within ourselves and without. It is also a pivotal time in our calendar when we reflect on the miraculous events in our history that led to our freedom. Not only our freedom from slavery and oppression, but our freedom to choose, to serve and to live our faith fully, guided by Torah values. It is our reminder of miracles. Past and present. From the plagues to the splitting of the sea to the magnitude and advancement of natural, technological, scientific, medical and social entrepreneurship. Pesach is about perspective, reminding us of all there is still just so very much to be grateful for.

One cannot be truly free if one is living in the past. Be grateful for this moment.

One cannot be truly free if one is more concerned with what others think, than of being true to oneself. Be grateful for your own opinions and beliefs.

One cannot be truly free if one chooses to see obligations and responsibilities as painful and torturous. Be grateful that you have people around you and work to commit to and a purpose and goal to contribute towards.

One cannot be truly free if one's fear is dictating the next move. Be grateful for the unknown. When nothing is certain, anything remains possible. The best growth and rewards happen out there.

One cannot be truly free if one's peace of mind is not the highest priority. Be grateful for your ability to pause, pray and reconnect with what truly matters most. be grateful for self-care, self-compassion and self-kindness. So that when you are filled, you can continue to give and serve and add value to everyone around you.

One cannot be truly free if one's goals and values are not aligned with ones vision and action plan for implementation. Be grateful for your purpose in this world and live it with integrity.

One cannot be truly free if one's loved ones are trapped or stuck or hurt. Be grateful for the chance to help another person every moment that you can. Commit to be the kindest person you know.

One of Alfred Adler’s key concepts in Adlerian Psychology is that of social interest. “Social interest” in German is “Gemeinschaftsgefuhl,” which translates as “community feeling,” as opposed to one’s private interests or concerns.

One’s “style of life” is the set of construals and personal narratives one has devised in order to cope with being-in-the-world. If one has social interest then one evidences or enacts a “useful” style of life. If one does not have social interest then one is self-absorbed and is concerned only with one’s self. For us to experience happiness and freedom, the feeling of belonging, being significant to the world and those around him, we have to develop an attitude or outlook towards furthering the welfare of others.

May this Pesach, we not only remove more limiting sabotaging thoughts, mindsets and barriers that are keeping us stuck and preventing us from living our greatest lives, but let's make sure that we are sharing our very best selves with the world around us, giving, leading, empowering and encouraging all those around us to do the same.

This Pesach, let's choose freedom and be open and ready for the outcomes of this choice:

1. Let's evaluate how we can be more useful.

2. Let's undertake tasks and goals that benefit others, not only ourselves.

3. Let's clean and de-clutter our lives of anything that doesn’t serve our higher good.

4. Let's use our superpower to make better choices that lead us closer to who we want to become.

5. Let's remember that there are far too many who are slaves to so much: governments, brutality, hatred, evil, war, illness, poverty, hunger, loneliness, confusion, and so many other painful and imprisoning experiences and that freedom is never ever ever something to be taken for granted.