Trying To Be Free And Going For It

Hello everyone,

Today I am just freely going to blog about the simple, yet not so simple at times, concept of going for trying to be free.  To be free can mean a lot of different things to many people.  Most people want to definitely be free of debt.  Some people want to be free of having to be slaves to a routine, day in day out job.  Others take it even further by wanting to live a life of total financial freedom with the ability to do whatever they want, whenever they want, wherever they want.  To some it may mean being free of health problems or free of bad relationships.  There are also people who want to be free of things like worry, fear, and doubt.  A lot of  people who worry, fear and doubt do so because they are in a financial crisis, or a bad relationship or a health issue and being financially free, a good relationship or being healthy would solve their problems.  Then there are those who have other personal issues that cause those negative feelings and problems that have nothing to do with finances or health.  But whatever the case, being free in whatever sense of the word is something that I feel is sought after by most of mankind.  We all want to feel free and live a nice safe life of happiness and joy.  The big question is how to attain this freedom we are searching for.  How do we truly get to the point of saying we are truly free and how do we go about getting there?

I think feeling truly free comes from much more than just financial freedom or personal freedom. To me, it includes more.  To attain true freedom, I think we must work to attain freedom in mind, body, and spirit. That means the emotional and intellectual part of us, the physical part of us as well as the effects on us from the world around us, and that part that transcends to a higher level of self awareness and consciousness. Being able to receive, react, and respond appropriately to situations, circumstances or people in a manner that will promote the best possible outcome has to also be taken into account.  However, we must be careful not to stress to much over the external because there is only so much one can do when it comes to external variables. Stressing over things that one has little or no control of causes another problem to break free of in and of itself.  The bottom line is that total freedom is a multifaceted thing.

There are lots of ways to conquer the things that enslave us or keep us from total freedom.  There are many people out there to help, plenty of literature to read, and multiple websites with information.  The solution is out there just waiting to be found.  The misconception many people may have that causes them to be pessimistic and give up is that the solution is not always easy breezy.  There are no quick fixes, overnight miracles, magic beans type of solutions.  As with most things, it is going to take at least a little determination, at least a little perseverance along with some work and faith to accomplish the goal. Just remember the mottos or cliches if you will, "If it's worth having, it's worth going after", "The more you want something, the more you should go after it" and "If you can conceive it you can achieve it."

Ok, let's say the answer is out there and you are determined, ready to hang in there and give it a good shot. You have good intentions to work hard and you have a certain level faith, but you can't muster up the strength to get started.  Even with all the mottos and the desire to do it, you can't seem to start; heck, you don't even know where to start. So, what do you do then?  Well, you make the inability to get started your first problem second to the problem of becoming free. Your first goal should be to just get started.  You first have to conquer your stagnation before you can move on to conquer anything else.  The best way to do this is in little tasks that can be accomplished.  You can start by setting small goals and a deadline to complete each goal.  The small goals should lead up to your ultimate goal. No matter how insignificant the goals may seem, the key is to write them down in small obtainable, simple statements with a corresponding goal completion time and or date.  Then reward yourself with something each time you accomplish a goal. The rewards do not, nor need to be anything extravagant because the ultimate reward will be the accomplishment of the major and final goal.  Some examples of small goals are: (1) Read one chapter by 3:00 pm today, (2) Talk to one person about (.....) by this Friday evening, (3) Sign up for one class by Wednesday of next week. As you move through your list by accomplishing each little small goal, you will be closer to accomplishing your major goal before you know it.  It's always easier to swallow one small pill than to swallow a mouth full of big horse pills. Oh, here's another one for you.  Even the brain, as complex as it is, can process small chunks of information that is spread out better than it can huge chunks of information all at one time.  Just as we all one day in our past had to learn that big multiplication table one set at a time, so must we tackle some of life's big obstacles one small piece at a time. I don't know about you, but I felt a great sense of accomplishment when I was able to say all my 1's, then 2's, then 3's and so on until one day I knew the whole multiplication table.  Just think of how great you will feel when you have accomplished all of your little goals and then are one day able to say you accomplished your final and big overall goal!

Now, if you are an all or nothing kind of person, the best way for you to get moving may be to actively ignore any fears and doubts by pushing through them.  Then just dive in and get started.  The one thing to remember and tell yourself is that if you do nothing you can be assured that nothing will change.  With that all or nothing attitude, you can give it your all and possible get something wonderful or you can do nothing and definitely be stuck in the same situation with no changes to your situation.  Who would turn down a possible yes for a definite no?  Sometimes the fear of failing or making a mistake can keep you from diving in. However, you still have to tell yourself, "If I do not try, I will not ever succeed."  Also you must look at mistakes and failures as learning experience to only make you better. Ways to get you to your goal. Think of it as a practice makes perfect scenario. Remember when you first learned to ride a bike.  If you were like most of us, you fell off, skinned a knee or two, made mistakes and failed at your first try riding down the street.  But with determination, perseverance, some work, and faith that you could do it, you learned how to ride.  The alternative would have been to not try and perhaps never have learned to ride a bike.  Which now does not seem like a big deal, but to a kid, being able to ride a bike like the rest of the kids was awesome. Not being able to ride could have been shameful and embarrassing.  Not diving in and going after your goal could one day be a shameful or even embarrassing memory you will have to live with.  It will leave the unanswered question of what if I had only give it a try.  But on the other hand, think of how exhilarating it will be to reflect on the accomplishment of your goal instead of regret.  To be able to say, "Yes, I just jumped right in and did it!"

So, to sum up the blog for today.  Being free from whatever your heart is set on can be attainable.  The key is to define what freedom means to you.  Read and research the resources out there to find out ways to get to that freedom.  Then set small realistic goals to get to your ultimate freedom goal.  Be determined, persevere, and have faith.  Then, see where it takes you.  Remember, you can't go any where if you don't move; nothing will change if you do nothing; if you want it, go get it; and don't worry about failure because practice makes perfect.

My next blog will be a series.  In each blog I will go more into attaining freedom in the various areas mentioned above.  I will talk more about freedom of the mind, body and on a spiritual level. I will also go into dealing with internal and external variables.  Until then, take care and be free.