Freedom Challenge #1: What Does Freedom Mean to You?

in freedomchallenge •  7 years ago 

sunrise-freedom.jpg

photo courtesy of Pixabay

Freedom Challenge hosted by Hosted by @sagescrub

This is a heavy topic. I had to cogitate a bit on this one because this well runs deep.

Freedom to most folks means that they have the right to act, think and speak as they choose without fear of being stifled or imprisoned for their thoughts or actions.

To some freedom means freedom of choice. Freedom to practice or not to practice whatever religion they so desire.

The liberty to choose what type of education their children are given, where they purchase food, what they wear, where they live, and whether or not they may keep animals or run a business.

This is only true if whatever form of governance you are under allows you these freedoms. I don’t want to get into the whole political can of worms today. Perhaps for another post.

Freedom is so much more than this to me. It is independence and self-sufficiency to live the life I choose without restraints and encumberments.

Living on a homestead gives me this autonomy. I don’t need to leave the homestead for food or water as it is here.
I will be producing power (working towards totally off grid), so I won’t need the power company. I am debt free. No mortgage as the homestead was built out of pocket.

I have a 17 year old SUV if I need transportation. My only jobs are caring for my family and my animals. I need very little to keep me entertained. I write as a hobby.

These things all leave me my freedom, to do what I wish to do. I am free to mentor others. I am free to donate my time to worthy projects. I am free to help my neighbors. I am free to give back to Mother Earth. I am free to sit and do nothing if I so chose.

This is what freedom means to me.

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beautiful work !
Big UP :)

Thank you so much for your comment and support. I really appreciate it.

you are welcome :)

Very nice post!

Thanks.

Great words. Freedom is whatever we make of it.

Exactly.

Freedom is an amazing thing. Great picture.

Thank you.

Great post indeed, I can relate in many ways...

Thank you.

I think a lot of people take true freedom for granted. Most of us live where we CAN choose pretty much much anything we want to do. We are very blessed to live here in this beautiful world!
Thanks you for sharing your thoughts. Have a wonderful day!
Beautiful picture too!

Thank you for your kind words. We try to live where we can choose but others are not so lucky

I agree! I tell my kids that we shouldn't ever take our life for granted because other don't have that freedom.

Exactly!

I am free to give back to Mother Earth

I'm with you on this @cecicastor. Your freedom is a good one caring and nurturing for what matters the most.

If we don't care for Mother Earth, we have nothing.

it is a rewarding thing to give back to others - there is definitely a sense of freedom in that!

Thank you.

Thank you for using your free time to bless the blockchain with your presence <3 xoxo

Thank you, Lyndsay. Some days it isn't much. I have too many interesting things to do. lol Hugs.

exactly as how you define it ;)

Thank you, @englishtchrivy!

Well stated @cecicastor. I'd love to see some photos of your homestead if you don't mind sharing. Or your very early beach walks. I can't imagine living on a homestead - I can but I can't. I think I'm too old now. I could live a heck of a lot simpler than I do now but I have to take my husband's wants into consideration as well.

Your idea of freedom is similar to mine. And this topic definitely could be a hot political topic. Yikes.

I am free to choose how I live as well and I imagine everyone is within the constraints of where they live in this world, I don't believe people are free to do as they please with out constraints - with freedom comes responsibility to others.

Nicely written. :)

Thanks, @countrygirl! You are never too old. I was a little unsure at first but when we got into it, it just seems to fit like a glove. I am continuing our dream now, as a widow. I thought it would be difficult and I would have to give up. But continuing the dream has only strengthened my resolve to see it though. I am having some trouble with my camera, but I will get it working or buy another so I can post some photos of the homestead.

Good for you @cecicastor You are a strong woman. I too would love to see some of your homestead photos. It sounds like a healthy and wonderful environment to live in. I hope you will be able to get that new camera soon.

Thank you. Soon I hope.

Freedom, to me, means being able to do everything I want, when I want, the way I want.

That's real freedom for me.
Cheers

Thnks for the comment. Freedom to me means life!

This is a great essay. I like the part where you said freedom, for you, means to be able to sit down and do nothing if you chose. Freedom is the ability to express yourself.

Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed it.

Amen to that. I could not agree more. Don’t owe anyone, aren’t pressed to do something unless you want to. Giving back to those that you want to. Writing to have a little something along the way. Thanks for your description of freedom. 🐓🐓

Thanks for your support. It means a lot.

I find the homesteading community on steemit fascinating. I'm learning a level of personal freedom in the lifestyle that I've never seen in person before. People like you who are self sustainable are so interesting to meet. I admire your resourcefulness and knowledge to gain personal freedom instead of relying on corporations or the government to function.

Thank you. I am still a work in progress. Maybe I'll never be finished, but it is an awesome journey.

Yes! We are very like-minded. Independence and self-sufficiency is also our idea of freedom. Slowly but surely we are working towards our dream of a homestead. -Aimee

That is all we can do. Work towards independence and self-sufficiency, looking forward to freedom.

independence and self- sufficiency, I agree and whats wonderful is that you have that. 'Free to give back to Mother Earth', well said to me that speaks volumes xx resteemed

Thank you so much for your support and love! It means a lot to me.

@cecicastor thank you for participating in #freedomchallenge!

These things all leave me my freedom, to do what I wish to do. I am free to mentor others. I am free to donate my time to worthy projects. I am free to help my neighbors. I am free to give back to Mother Earth. I am free to sit and do nothing if I so chose.

It is wonderful that you are able to say this! And given your freedom to choose to help and give back is a generous way to choose to spend your time. Thank you, reading your post was a great way to start my time on steemit with an uplifting message :)

Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate them.

:)

Freedom is empowerment and strength. Being anti-contemporary - living with our means like you do- allow to be honest with yourself and your real needs. Bliss.

Thank you!

Ive always find the idea of self produced power interesting. I think you did a fine job on this!

Thank you very much. I do try.

Lovely... as I read this I could feel and picture your freedom🌱

Thank you!

I am free to sit and do nothing if I so chose.

This is what freedom means to me.

Hear hear hear - - Yes Freedom - - - That is my kind of freedom - -

I'd say, good for you. And it's wonderful that you could do all the things in your last paragraph.
To me, freedom is one of the most important things that distinguishes us from animals. Why? Because we have the freedom of choice and they don't.
Animals are the slaves of their instincts and they can't choose otherwise.
But us human beings, we have the choice to be slaves or not to be slaves of our instincts. For example, my instinct might dictate to me to sleep all day and not to do anything productive. But I have the freedom of choice to listen to that or choose otherwise.
Good luck with all your plans 😊

Thanks, @nedanazari!

I see where all the inspiration comes from for your writing :) very well put Ceci, I hope to live a similar life one day! God bless

Thank you for your kind comments.

Your own valued sense of freedom emanates from this great article @cecicastor It was a joy to read and I know that the freedom you treasure and enjoy at this point of your life has not been handed to you on a plate. It has been achieved through hard work and dedication and not loosing sight of your vision. And personally, I believe you have your priorities in life sorted, as I too, believe that family comes first and a kind and generous heart has set your spirit free as well.

Thank you for your kind words. You are right. Life is not handed out on a silver platter. We have to work to achieve our goals and find our own happiness. Family has to come first, without family you have nothing.

I couldn't agree more.