Freedom Falsehoods by Jim Stovall

Freedom is one of the most desired, misunderstood, and elusive concepts among all people. As in most things, the deep truth about freedom is a paradox; and the real nature of freedom is counterintuitive. Initially, one might assume that freedom is the absence of any boundaries, barriers, or responsibilities. In reality, freedom comes when we choose to limit our activities in a way that will benefit us and those around us in the future.

Financial freedom is not the ability to spend all we want on whatever we want but, instead, financial freedom involves budgetary limitations that we place upon ourselves so that we can have the financial independence we want in the future. Whether it relates to family, friends, finances, or fitness, we achieve the freedom we seek when we voluntarily impose limitations on ourselves.

If you want to experience true freedom in your physical fitness, you must find a way to put limitations and standards upon your daily exercise and nutrition. One important variable that must be understood about freedom is the limitations and standards must be self-imposed. You and I must own the option to limit our current activities in exchange for an enhanced future. If I decide to limit my spending, save 30% of my income, and systematically invest it in the stock market, I am practicing my own financial freedom.

If, on the other hand, a government, a corporation, or another individual imposes the same requirements upon me, it is not freedom, it is tyranny. Freedom without responsibility is chaos. The universe abhors a vacuum, so if we’re not willing to take responsibility and commit to our own freedom, someone else will do it for us. Responsibility or discipline that is forced upon us doesn’t work even if it is well-intended.

As a parent, it is important that you place standards and limitations on your children in order to keep them safe and teach them life lessons. But, you will have succeeded as a parent only when your children have the freedom to do whatever they want, and they still choose to live within standards and limitations.

Freedom comes with risks. Anytime someone offers you a guarantee in this life or a safety net, you can be certain that they have limited your upward potential. The old saying that there is no free lunch remains true. The only lunch worth eating and enjoying is one you selected yourself and paid for with the money you earned.

As you go through your day today, understand freedom and tyranny, then, always choose freedom.

Today’s the day!

Jim Stovall is the president of Narrative Television Network as well as a published author of many books including The Ultimate Gift. He is also a columnist and motivational speaker. He may be reached at 5840 South Memorial Drive, Suite 312, Tulsa, OK 74145-9082; by email at Jim@JimStovall.com; on Twitter at www.twitter.com/stovallauthor; or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jimstovallauthor