Feeling Stuck? Experience Freedom
by Seline Shenoy
“Everything can be taken from a man but one last thing: the last of human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” –Viktor E. Frankle, Man’s Search for Meaning
A Look Into Experiencing Freedom…
During the span of my career as an empowerment coach, I noticed that no matter what kind of challenges my clients faced, they all had one thing in common. Below the surface of every challenge was a pervasive sense of deprivation and feeling stuck, caused by their perceived limitations.
Whether the limitations were due to a lack of time, money, love, or energy, all my clients felt stuck and could not see the light at the end of the tunnel. Each one hoped that I would be their torch to light up a path to take them out of the darkness.
Much to their surprise, the message that I consistently conveyed to my clients was that finding the right path does not only depend on their capacity to change their circumstance, but also on the clarity that they have about what they really wanted in their life and their openness to understanding the lessons along the way.
Stuck? First Decide What Experiencing Freedom Means
We can apply the same principle to experience a deeper sense of freedom by first getting clear on what “being free” really means to us. Having a clear vision for personal freedom will provide us with a North Star, towards which we can steer our ship. Any storms that we encounter along the way will be easier to navigate, as it will be seen from a place of meaning and purpose.
Freedom has been a coveted luxury since the dawn of civilization. Many of our ancestors had to sacrifice their lives to attain the basic kind of freedom that they knew was their birthright. They fought against injustice and inequality in the face of oppressive governments and dictatorships. It is because of their brave and heroic acts that we live in a predominantly free society.
My own maternal grandfather was a freedom fighter who fought against the colonial British rule, but sadly lost his life in the process. Now, whenever I feel a sense of lack in my life, I tap into the spirit of my grandfather as a reminder to appreciate the basic things that I tend to take for granted, such as the ability to stand up for my rights and create a life based on my own terms.
While I believe that it is important to appreciate the privileges of living in a more evolved world, I do not advocate using it as an excuse to accept the things that are not satisfying us. Our aim should always be to strive for progress and create a life that gives us the freedom to be the highest expression of ourselves, no matter what that means to us.
For a woman living in a conservative, male-dominated society in a developing country, one way to experience freedom might mean earning the right to receive an education. For a professional woman living in a big city, her idea of freedom might be to find a job that she loves and provides an income to fund a lifestyle to which she aspires.
Neither of their definitions are trivial or frivolous. They are equally valid to both individuals considering the context of their situation. No matter what your idea of freedom is, you should be proactive in pursuing it, and more importantly, managing your inner world during that pursuit.
Any pain we feel during our personal search to experience freedom occurs only if we see our limitations as chains that bind us. Realizing that these chains are imaginary, created within the realm of our minds, is the first step towards liberation.
Discover Ways to Experience Freedom
We can continue releasing ourselves from these chains by doing the following:
Define what freedom feels and looks like to you: Get clear on what a life of freedom looks like to you. Does it mean having more time to do things you enjoy? Earning more money to fund a dream project you’re working on? Getting rid of certain toxic relationships in your life?
Focus on your needs: Most of the times when we feel restricted, it’s because there are certain important needs that are not being met. We need to dig deep to figure out which ones they are. Do you feel your current job is not serving your need for progress and growth? Are you in a relationship or marriage that lacks the love and connection that you are looking for?
Find creative ways to meet these needs right now: When you uncover your unmet needs, the next step is to figure out how you can creatively meet these needs in your current life. For example, if you have a need for exploration but can’t afford to travel as much as you like, perhaps you can attend cultural events or watch travel shows. If you feel a lack a connection in your life, perhaps you can volunteer at an animal shelter or elderly care home. Get creative and be willing to think outside of the box.
Make long-term plans for bigger changes: Although creating a sense of freedom in your everyday life should be made a priority, you should also be making long-term plans to change your situation if it is truly dissatisfying. Create a plan of action with deadlines that you will commit to on a consistent basis. A lot of people find this the most challenging step to take because it often requires big changes. You have to try your best to push against the current of your inner resistance.
By enjoying these “bite-size” bits to experience freedom in your daily routine, you avoid being overcome by feelings of restriction. This is replaced with a sense of abundance that will make it easier to focus on your long-term goals of creating the desired changes in your circumstances.
No matter how much you fee stuck, or what kind of limitations you may face in your life, remember that there is one thing that others cannot take away from you, and that is the ability to dream and create a grand vision for your life. In truth, you have always been a free-spirit since the time you entered this earthly plane – somewhere along the way, you have just forgotten that you have that power.
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About the Author
Seline Shenoy is a writer, coach, and seeker of truth on a mission to inspire others to live fully and authentically, and coax them to chase their biggest dreams. Yes, even those scary ones. She is the founder and writer of the blog, The Dream Catcher: http://thedreamcatch.com/
