Freedom is something I've spent a lot of time thinking about and cultivating in my life. Of course it means different things to different people, so let me walk you through the evolution of my understanding of freedom. It started with financial security (thanks, Mom!):
Money = power & power = optionality; therefore, money = optionality.
But over time, it expanded to include self awareness and self expression. Here's why:
Self awareness prevents surprises: no one can tell you something about yourself that you don't already know or expose a "shadow side" that you've been hiding from. AND self expression allows us to release our creative energy - to give voice/song/pen to our experience, and let it go.
At the end of the day, financial security, optionality, self awareness, and self expression lead to a profound sense of inner peace - the ultimate freedom!
How do you define freedom?