The Source of Personal Empowerment
Freedom is a word that resonates on many levels and it can mean many different things depending on the context and circumstances. But, have you ever asked yourself where your freedom comes from?
It’s tempting to believe that our boundaries are set by our political institutions, by our families, by our peers or perhaps by our employers. But all of these factors represent external forces that only exist outside of our hearts and minds. Do any of them really represent the limits that define your personal freedom? It’s such an important topic that it deserves our focus and attention.
Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better.
-?????? Albert Camus
We live in a culture that favours obedience to the laws and civic conditions that support social stability. We accept most of the limitations imposed upon us by social or legal conventions because they help to make life easier, safer and more predictable for the majority. In many ways, these conventions are the foundations of civilisation. But freedom is a very broad concept, a principle that deserves a wider consideration and a more personal interpretation.
Whilst we understand the necessity of a protective legal framework, the question of personal freedom touches on issues that reflect our upbringing and our early childhood conditioning. The effects of our beliefs show up every day in the way we react to opportunities, to setbacks, to new situations, to new relationships, to challenges and in our willingness to pursue our goals and dreams – or throw in the towel and quit. We could argue that belief is the fabric of success. Or failure. That’s why our beliefs are so important.?
No one outside ourselves can rule us inwardly. When we know this, we become free.
-?????? Buddha
So, if you’re looking for greater freedom, you’re unlikely to find it in the hands of others. The kind of freedom that empowers you and creates the essential space to thrive, flourish and succeed can only come from you. It’s the gift that can be delivered by you to yourself.
Some people struggle with this idea. We’re so accustomed to recognising the external restraints on our behaviour that we naturally assume that all aspects of freedom are represented by what others are willing to allow us to do. But we’re exploring the concept of personal freedom here, that sense of being free to pursue your heart’s desire and fulfil your potential. When you seek permission to follow your dreams, you’re handing control of your destiny to someone else. And this is somewhat ironic because the only person who’s truly qualified to set the limits and boundaries around your ambition – is you.
Freedom in this sense is more a state of mind than a legal framework for self-expression.
The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.
-?????? Albert Camus
When you explore the boundaries and limitations that currently define your life, you might feel inspired to question why the borders exist in their present format. You might wonder what would happen if you moved the boundaries beyond their familiar configuration. What would happen if you granted yourself permission to explore what lies beyond the walls of belief that define your limitations? These are intriguing questions because the more you are willing to challenge your limits, the more you will appreciate that they are little more than a construct of your mind. Some would go as far as to suggest that they a product of your imagination, sustained by the energy of your beliefs and your deeply-engrained habits. What do you think?
In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed. It must be achieved.
-?????? Franklin D. Roosevelt
Do you feel you are ready to challenge your old limitations and step beyond your familiar frontiers into the uncharted territory of your latent potential? Of course, this is rarely a comfortable experience. We all understand that change involves exposing ourselves to situations that are usually unfamiliar and often a little scary. But that’s also where the excitement can be found. It’s exhilarating. It’s an adventure. It’s a treasure hunt and a quest for the kind of personal empowerment that can change your life forever. It’s the heady wine of freedom and the feeling that life can be lived on a much broader and more satisfying scale.
Take a moment to consider the factors that appear to be holding you back from the life of your dreams. What exactly is stopping you? What kind of stories have you woven to explain why you can’t move beyond your present circumstances? Who set the limitations that constrain you? Why are you willing to accept these conditions when they fail to match your ambitions?
What then is freedom? It is the power to live as one wishes.
-?????? Marcus Tullius Cicero
Freedom may wear many masks and appear in many guises but it is your personal sense of freedom and empowerment that will define how far you will advance in the pursuit of your dreams. Extend your boundaries. Step beyond your limitations. Choose to be free and channel your new-found sense of liberty into creating the kind of life that best reflects your needs and ambitions. Don’t settle for the standards that others have laid upon you. Rise above them and chart your own pathway to the stars.
Freedom begins between the ears.
-?????? Edward Abbey
Are you ready for a completely fresh approach to life’s great adventure? Get in touch with us today for a free session to discover how the growing global movement for personal growth, success, change and empowerment can enhance your life. It’s fun and it’s surprisingly effective. Perhaps it’s time for you to discover how you can enjoy your life on a whole new level of happiness and wellbeing.
Greg Parry created the Cognitive Empowerment Programs specifically to help people master their stress, overcome their limitations and explore the power of their true potential.
If you enjoy these blogs, you can imagine how much fun it is to have Greg in the room as an inspirational and highly perceptive speaker. If you’d like to invite Greg to talk to your company or organisation or event, feel free to get in touch.
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