Personal Freedom Contest
Working for a company called Freedom Personal Development, we often get asked, “What does ‘Freedom’ mean?” Well, as one of our core values, we define freedom as the capacity to exercise choice. How do you define freedom or better yet your own personal freedom?
We all have choices, sometimes seemingly large and sometimes seemingly small, in the decisions we make on a daily basis. Will you choose to read a book that would benefit your career? Which career will you choose? Will you choose to look at the positive and not the negative? Which house will you buy? Will you choose to drink coffee made at home or buy it at Starbucks? You have the freedom to choose, but you also have to take responsibility for the outcomes, good or bad.
For this contest, I am looking for the best definition of personal freedom and how you experience it in your life.
What does personal freedom look like to you? Are you living it or working towards it? I want to hear your thoughts and ideas on the concept and reality of freedom.
This could either be personal freedom you have experienced or personal freedom you are striving for.
To enter the contest, at the bottom of this page, type your name, email, website (if you have one) and your definition of personal freedom.
Prizes
Grand Prize – Freedom Personal Development Sweatshirt
Second Place – “Expect Success” Book
Third Place – Freedom Personal Development Water Bottle
Winners will be chosen by members of the Freedom Personal Development Team, announced on the blog and contacted by email December 1, 2008.
Be Free!
Leah Simpson
Instructor
Personal freedom to me means focusing only on those things I can control.
There are many things I have no control over (economy, weather, lines at the airport, traffic), many things I can influence (people, outcomes), but only one thing I can control – my decisions (aka my choices.)
I can choose to get upset at the things I cannot control, or I can choose to accept them (and find the good in the situation) and move forward.
I have been living my life this way for almost a year now and my stress, anger and overall anxiety has decreased greatly.
I have even taken this idea one step further and asked myself – what if my day to day freedoms I take for granted were taken away by let’s say me going to jail. Well, I can’t control being locked up, but I could control how I react to it. Instead of being angry, I could further educate myself, practice meditation or get really good at playing cards.
You are right, freedom is about choice.
Comment by KT. B — November 6, 2008 @ 8:43 am
Personal Freedom-The ability to make all decisions in your life without the intrusion of external forces.
Comment by Anthony Battista — November 6, 2008 @ 9:57 am
Personal freedom is the opportunity to achieve ultimate individual goals, constrained only by the limits God grants.
In practice it means constantly working to acquire and improve mastery of the tools available to fully realize that
opportunity.
Comment by Denwood Parrish — November 6, 2008 @ 11:31 am
personal freedom…arising each morning, putting on your shoes and feeling comfortable with each step that you take that the choices you make are yours because each one of us has that intrinsic freedom.
Comment by robbie jackler — November 6, 2008 @ 11:39 am
My definition of personal freedom is to have proper time management, avoid procrastination and meeting my daily goals
in my work life as well as my personal life.
Comment by Joyce Beine — November 6, 2008 @ 11:43 am
Personal freedom is to be who you are in this moment and the knowledge that you will feel good about it
in the future.
Comment by Laura Norris — November 6, 2008 @ 12:18 pm
Freedom allows you to succeed or fail and eliminates blame.
Comment by Bert Beaulieu — November 6, 2008 @ 1:09 pm
To me, freedom implies a sense of liberation. We don’t depend on others for our successes, and we don’t blame others for our failures. I have always taught my children that freedom, or free agency, is not simply one’s right or ability to choose, but moreso, it is one’s right or ability to choose consequences or possible outcomes. That way their sense of accomplishment when right choices are made, and their sense of accountability when poor choices are made, always leads back to them. I believe this to be a fundamental empowering principal that leads to proactivity in their own lives free from the victim mentality.
Comment by Sean Ludlow — November 6, 2008 @ 5:04 pm
Personal Freedom: When you reach a point in your life where you have the ablity to provide, grant, or assist others in achieving their goals and dreams without any consideration as to how it will impact your own life.
Comment by Chris Coppinger — November 6, 2008 @ 9:38 pm
Personal Freedom is different for everyone but I feel for me it can be defined as the
ability to do, grow, and achieve tasks and goals without constraints whether physical
or mental. I think everyone is striving or aspiring for this type freedom in some way.
No one wants to be held back by someone or something in their mind. Personal Freedom
is the ultimate goal for all human beings. So Personal freedom is obtainable for everyone, some find it on their own,
some need guidance and others are held back by a “force” they can’t get past. True personal freedom is getting past the blockades and becoming the best you can be as a person.
Comment by Barry Ravegum — November 7, 2008 @ 9:06 am
The ability to do “Whats right” on a day to day basis both in business and with my personal life without be concerned of the consequnses.
Comment by Tony Mackie — November 7, 2008 @ 12:28 pm
Living perfectly in line with the laws of God and His creation. Having my blueprint for life match the Creator’s.
Comment by David Meyers — November 7, 2008 @ 4:17 pm
Living without resentment, fear and with a clear conscience to me is personal freedom.
To do this, I try to stay within moral boundaries, treat people the way you want to be treated, trust your gut, be honest, forgive those you feel have harmed you, apologize to those you have harmed, avoid selfness, judgment and be humble.
Comment by Ivan Drago — November 11, 2008 @ 9:14 pm
My personal freedom means everything to me. I am able to choose the hours I want to work making it possible to watch the sun rise in the morning if I want to or sleep in. To be able to meet a friend for lunch or go to a needed appointment without using or loosing time from my job. I have a window to the world right from my desk and just a step out the door. I can feel the warm sun on my face in the summer or watch the beauty of the changing colors of the trees in the fall, or the cold white snow that covers the ground in winter, or watch the landscape turning to green in spring. I see all these wonderful things everyday I come to work or play. Every day for me is no ordinary day, but each day is a blessing and I am thankful to be here.
Comment by Sandy Green — November 12, 2008 @ 5:26 pm
Personal Freedom – The willingness, and ability, to do whatsoever one desires to do, in the time frame in which one wishes, without bringing harm to others.
Comment by John Proko — November 13, 2008 @ 11:23 am
Personal freedom to me means I control the value of my existence by the thoughts, actions and spirit I put forth. What I give will come back to me, what I think will be where I go.
Comment by Tammy — November 13, 2008 @ 12:04 pm
To describe personal freedom, one must first understand the word freedom. To me that word means, “choice”. My “personal freedom” definition, is that, I am free to choose to, or not to, make a choice. Weather it is simple, or complex, what I do in my daily activities, successful or not, is determined by the choices I make. This concept, is not new, and has been taught by many important people throughout History. This “freedom of choice”, has also been fought for by many historical people as well. I have the ability now, due to many others, to choose, even to enter this contest. The words I am using are my choice. So in essence, I am free to make my own decisions, of my personal choices, which gives me the ability to personally, shape my own life. Not everyone has this freedom. However, more and more people are achieving this freedom, to the betterment of the world.
Comment by Michael McCloud — November 13, 2008 @ 12:07 pm
Personal freedom allows you to succeed or fail and prevents blaming others.
Comment by Bert Beaulieu — November 13, 2008 @ 12:28 pm
What does personal freedom mean to me? Freedom implies the ability to have total happiness in your heart knowing that God says he’ll never put on us more than we can endure and will always provid us with an opening to move from those things in life we can’t control. It means that we spend absolutely no time stressing over life’s trivialities. To be ever thankful for every life’s experience.
Comment by Johnny Marsh — November 13, 2008 @ 3:07 pm
For me, personal freedom is freedom from fear. I live that out by facing my fear head-on when it surfaces through the strength and wisdom of the Holy Spirit rather than giving into the temptation to escape into busyness or unhealthy relationships. As my faith strengthens, my fear weakens, and my freedom grows.
Comment by Diana Schramer — November 13, 2008 @ 4:05 pm
I loved your definition of freedom
It absolutely RIGHT ON!!!
Tony
Comment by Tony Mackie — November 13, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
I believe personal freedom is feeling comfortable enough to pursue your dreams! I have used the combination of visualization and vision boards to do so in the last two years- and have been the happiest in my entire life! Here’s a great resource I found to make sure I’m doing all of this right: http://www.thevisionboardkit.com. I downloaded a free first chapter to be sure it was for me.
Comment by Ron Towns — November 17, 2008 @ 1:41 pm
Personal freedom is the clear and distinct recognition that the chains we experience are very much placed by our own prophecies. Personal freedom is the decision to live life passionately, fully, and blessed. Personal freedom is the willingness to have a spirit of reciprocity.
I was once a high school dropout at age 15. I was a single mother of two beautiful boys. I was on welfare and medicaid. I CHOSE to change my life direction. It took me 7 years to gain an Associates Degree and I became a dental hygienist. I practiced for 25 years until I developed Carpel Tunnel Syndrome bilaterally. I CHOSE to return to college and graduate school to become a psychotherapist. I currently have a private practice in Merrick, NY. I CHOSE to continually remove my chains and allow myself to develop and recreate, moving with the ebb and flow of life. I am content with my choices and living life to its fullest. I have created my own prohecy. One of joy…
Comment by Denise A. Wind, LCSW — November 19, 2008 @ 9:09 pm
My freedom is the awareness that every moment of my life is a moment of perfection, and that it is impossible for me not to have exactly what i need. When i am aware of that, i am free.
Comment by eirc — November 20, 2008 @ 12:58 am
Personal Freedom –
To have a situation where my vocation is my passion. Where my vocation gives me financial rewards yet doesn’t require manditory 80 hr workweeks. Where I have the freedom to travel regularly without worry about responsiblities at home or at work. Where I leap out of bed every morning eager to face my day and go to bed at night and sleep deeply because of my efforts living a fullfilling day.
Comment by Dean Young — November 20, 2008 @ 11:20 am
Personal freedom is obtaining an understanding of universal law, then working within that law to achieve the highest of what one may be willing to work for, understanding that for every action there is a reaction.
Comment by Karla Garcia — November 20, 2008 @ 11:25 am
Personal freedom will mean many different things to many people. I feel that when a person achives personal freedom they are free from worries and fear that has previously cripled them from achieving the goals of thier lives. Knowing without hesitation and without fear that the decisions one makes will not ruin thier lives even if it is a wrong decision. Because, freedom alows one the confidence to start over again and again until you do reach the goals that you strive for.
Comment by John Holte — November 20, 2008 @ 11:53 am
The ability to choose what you want when you want without limitations by government or other ruling bodies but staying with normally accepted morals.
Comment by Bryan Paur — November 20, 2008 @ 11:54 am
Hello,
My definition of personal freedom: God has provided to all of us the opportunity for limitless abundance, OUR CHOICE is how we choose to accept this abundance with the Grace not to discolor it with our own personal taint in order to pass it along to those in need. Personal Freedom to me would show up in the form of a random act of kindness at the grocery store to swipe my debit card through for the person standing in line behind me and leave without contact.
Thank your for all you do.
Brian
Comment by Brian Fitzgerald — November 20, 2008 @ 12:17 pm
Personal Freedom = Personal Responsibility. Freedom is not free. We need to be aware that our “free” choices impact on others,the environment and beyond.
Freedom is a word with a ripple effect,hence, the double “ee” in free!We can impact in a positive or negative manner. We need to make informed “free” choices looking down the road, as best we can,toward the positive.
Comment by Joanne — November 20, 2008 @ 12:38 pm
Allowing yourself to think and do without rules, beyond your normal boundaries. GIving yourself permission
to dream and act, accomplish and even fail, without fear or worry.
Comment by Linda — November 20, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
Freedom comes from the exercise of thought, reason, choice, and the ability to take action.
Comment by Jeff McElroy — November 20, 2008 @ 1:21 pm
Definition personal freedom: Live in the present! We humans get so caught up with the past and the future. We forget about the present. The present is were all the action is! The past creates our beliefs. keep an open mind to everything and attach yourself to nothing.(Personal freedom). Thinking about the future creates to much I gotta have. Let go of the future. It isnt here yet! Live in the present with the planet and everything we could ever want is right their in front of us.(Personal freedom) In short the past doesnt equal the future and the future doesnt equal the present. Live in the present with the attitude of gratitude and personal freedom will flurish.
Comment by DJ Nov,21,2008
Comment by Dan Johnson (DJ) — November 20, 2008 @ 2:12 pm
Personal freedom for me means releasing limiting beliefs about myself and realizing that every single one of us has a “story” or maybe painful events in our past but choosing to learn and grow from those experiences and CREATE the future rather than letting the past define who I am today. Finding my personal freedom has meant being grateful for all of experiences in my life up to this point, examining them, and lovingly moving past them. Its amazing how reexamining some of those past events from a different perspective has altered my memory of them. Some of them are humorous, instead of devastating, moving instead of painful. My personal freedom means that I accept myself for who I am and allow others to truly see me. This means that I take risks – I release the fear of being vulnerable or hurt and let my sensitive side shine through. It means being accountable for who I am rather than playing the victim and blaming my flaws on anyone else. It’s about loving myself, acknowledging those flaws and choosing to change. I AM WILLING TO CHANGE AND GROW!!!
Comment by Aana — November 20, 2008 @ 4:17 pm
Personal Freedom – The feeling of being empowered to act on behalf of an individual, company or yourself; to share special, individual information, dreams and ideas freely from the heart.
Say it like you mean it!
Comment by John W. Maasch — November 20, 2008 @ 5:47 pm
Personal freedom, in one sentence…criticize yourself and do not tell yourself you are over critical.
Comment by Jon Merker — November 20, 2008 @ 8:05 pm
Personal Freedom is that inner peace of mind in knowing that if I were called “home” today, I would leave this earth with no regrets and no “if-only’s”.
Comment by Becky Sickel — November 20, 2008 @ 9:03 pm
Personal freedom is having the ability to say “NO”. Too many people say yes to jobs that drain them and leave them unfulfilled. They say yes to others for fear of losing friendship when in fact they are wasting pieces of their short period on this big blue marble. They say yes to security over finding their purpose. When we say no honestly our yes becomes so much more valuable. When we choose to help, assist, or work at a particular vocation all benefit. Freedom is the ability to say “NO”.
Comment by Brian Chiaramonte — November 21, 2008 @ 8:04 am
Personal freedom means being able to do whatever, whenever, with whomever, wherever and however I choose to do it…if ever. And maybe not. It’s my choice.
Comment by Ken — November 21, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
My definition of Personal Freedom is the ability to make choices and accept the responsibility for those choices–free from placing blame on others for the resulting positive or negative consequences.
Comment by Chris — November 26, 2008 @ 5:49 pm