# 2 On Freedom

The ultimate narrative of the human species
                              is its quest for more freedom
                           and the related struggles to ascend
                        to higher standards of living and relating

In such divine desires to overcome tyranny,oppression,and the limits of our 

own darkness and small-mindedness,we find recurrent hope for humanity.
Those who found hope and lived a free and happy life despite history's
brutalities and darkness were not simply people of fortune or luck or fame,
but rather of conscience and courage.They knew the demand of their time,
that their destiny was unfolding with
the man or woman to their left and to their right,and that they would need
to remain motivated in overcoming both their internal demons and the
social tyrants of the world. Theirs was a long march of effort and
englightenment. They declared without apologies their independence,their
rights and direction.Their only guide was an internal one, a manifesto in their
minds that called for the courage to be themselves and the discip-
line to direct their energies toward higher purposes.

                            THE DOUBTS ABOUT FREEDOM

Some have questioned if we have too much freedom,if our great liberties
are too much of a good thing. The long light of this golden age of peace
and prosperity has changed the world for the better,but for some ,it has
led to a sunburn on the soul-an excessive exposure to abundance that
has led to indolence,greed,nercissism,and entitlement.

    It is only in active self-expression and pursuite of our own aims that we

can become free.

                        Problem #1 Social Oppressions

                    We become not free and genuine humans 
                        but rather slaves to opinion.
                        This is the ultimate misery:
                      living a life that is not our own.

                        Problem # 2 Self - oppressions

                  Self-oppression is the condition of letting
               our own negative thoughts and actions restrict us.
                 It is an inside job, a burdering of our spirit
                 by incessant doubt,worry,fear, and distraction.
                It is our own inept thinking,our own bad habbits 
                        that  rip the vibrancy from life.
               We are the ultimate oppressors of our own happiness.

This is why we seek personal growth - to be free from the pain we cause
ourselves, to make better choices, to feel better about who we are
becoming, to act more confidently in social situation,and to unleash our
full creativity and contibution into the world in order to make our highest
difference. Gaining Personal Freedom in this sense is letting go of any self-
doubt and self-loathing and allowing ourselves permission to be our unique,
powerful,authentic selves.
It is in freeing ourselves to be present and genuine in life that we find trust
and confidence in ourselves ,that wegrow and master and realize our hightest
selves,that we find authentic joy in our interactions and experiences in the
world,that we feel motivated and liberated.
Indeed, the telltale signs that someone is free and healthy are genuniness
and growth.
Aware of these things,we must have responsibility and courage to think for
ourselves,to ask " Are my ambitions,attentions, and actions truly of my own
choosing? Am I being my genuine self in the world and pursuing things that deeply
matter to me? Am I openning myself to change and challenges so that I can
stretch and grow into my full potential?"

                   Freedom requires responsibility to 
                   choose who we are above and beyond
            our immediate impulses,needs, and social pressures,
            So that we can genuinely express the type of person
             we want to be,live the life we truly want to live,
                       leave the legacy we desire.


                     If we are not free to choose our
                     character and conduct and legacy,
              then we are controlled by something else -thus we
         are lacking freedom. And if we are not responsible for our
         beliefs and behaviors,then someone or something else is-
                         thus,again,we are slaves.


                     We must be consious and responsible
                        for our beliefs and behaviors
                         if we are ever to be free.


                               Power Concept:
                               Freedom from 
                                  and
                               Freedom to

                    To achieve and sustain Personal Freedom,
                   we must dedicate ourselves to self-mastery
                        we must  determine and discipline
                             our own motivations to
                     stay true to our own sense of self,
                                to our own path.