I came across the quote by Epicurus that states, “The greatest fruit of self-sufficiency is freedom.”
I understand this to mean that when you have the ability to rely on yourself, meet your own needs, without external help, you achieve a certain level of freedom.
I want to first say that everyone needs someone at some point. We are social creatures and we rely on our tribe, family, friends, to help us from time to time.
We also live in a world where the government, corporations, supply and demand, plays a part in our ability to be totally independent.
The freedom I refer to is the ability to make choices in your life that allows you to be your most authentic self.
There are people who are trapped in situations where they have to mask their true selves in order to survive. Historically, many marginalized groups were not afforded the freedom of independence and therefore were unable to be fruitful in self-sufficiency.
Finding pockets of freedom begins from within. Our mind, our bodies, our emotions belong to us. We can control our thoughts, how we move and how we feel without the help of others. The less we depend on others for validation, the more free we become.
I started this post as a discussion point because I want to make space for you all to think and respond with your thoughts on freedom. Are you free? Where can you find freedom in your life?
Look Within 