Freedom - Independence
A recent extensive survey of numerous countries found “freedom of choice is not only a universal aspiration, but the single most important basis of human happiness.” But as with many things there are strings attached, or priorities that need to be dealt with before one can be thinking about what ‘choices’ do I have today. As the classic Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs has stated for so many years, the whole area of “Biological/Physical” and “Safety needs” must first be met on a regular basis before a person can ponder the “Belongingness and Love needs of family, affection, relationships, work groups, etc.” While most psychologists would probably say that it is actually the 4th and 5th Steps or rungs on the Maslow pyramid of “Esteem” and “Self-Actualization” needs that real Freedom, Choice and of course, Independence kicks in. And, most definitely this is a sad thing, as it is accepted that over 90% of the world population, or 80% of the USA never reach those final Maslow steps.
What is the point of this? Well, for one thing it says a lot about people who are on their path of finding themselves, whether it’s for Spiritual purposes, or simply knowing themselves - Self-Actualization. A side note would be that the Spirituality usually evolves as one knows oneself, which involves truth - which then branches to forgiveness, love, respect, higher power, etc. So, once again we can look at this as a connect the dots: Freedom - Independence (Self-Actualization) requires: responsibility, accountability, respect - first to oneself, as you can’t respect others until you respect yourself, love of self - same reason as respect, life satisfaction from being self-sustainable - you’re supporting yourself and contributing back to the community in what you do. Now we get into the more nebulous areas of which your freedom of choice means that you give and respect it for others as well - in other words, ‘social tolerance’ in how you believe and accept others to do so also. I always say that if God can give us Freewill in what we do, why can’t we do the same with others? So that respect is for all and everything - like the environment, not being wasteful of anything, while also sharing what you have in abundance.
Personally I do believe in the ”Gratitude Attitude” - whatever I ask for and it is given to me, I say thank you. This can be something as basic as waking up to a new day and all of the possibilities it may have. Then again at the end of a day and being thankful of all the basics of food, shelter, and then all of my friends, along with being able to do what I wanted to do that day. Sometimes just recognizing and acknowledging that I’ve had happiness that day, which most of it came from my Freedom and Independence. I may not be happy with some things in life, but my happiness was of my own making as Maslow says of self-esteem coming from accomplishments, which usually stem from expanding and doing new things or creative things. Most people are on their path because they were not happy with how their life was going, and knew it needed a change - most specifically what was their purpose in life, or why they are here.
I try to remind myself that Thomas Edison tried out over ten thousand different filaments before he got that light bulb to stay lit. So, we step out and we try new things and learn to laugh at ourselves when we fail. Self confidence grows just in the act of trying - experimenting with new things. Maslow said, “Self-actualization . . . finding what you were born to do. A musician must make music, an artist must paint, and a poet must write.” He did not say that you had to become rich and famous doing it to have become ‘self-actualized.’ It is in the doing that many people find their being. It may not be your career, but it can be your passion, for that brings happiness. Just as finding the right mate may bring you happiness, it is still your choice to personally be happy and not their responsibility. You cannot look to others when you ‘feel’ inferior, weak, helpless or worthless - those are all feelings that you create inside of you. And, Maslow’s self-fulfilling prophecy is absolute truth: whatever you believe you are or you can do, you will - be it negative or positive.
Tags: Independence
