Every day, we are faced with a myriad of options that ultimately form the fabric of our lives. From the mundane, such as the choice of what to consume at breakfast, to the colossal act of defining the direction of our own lives, every single choice leaves an imperceptible stamp that defines who we are capable of becoming. Of course, this same ability to make choices carries the potential to unleash exhilaration, but it comes with an accompanying duty that we simply can’t sidestep. This dynamic interplay between excitement and duty appoints freedom to this curious notch as something that is at the same time both a blessing and an imposition.
The choice of freedom is a blessing and is always celebrated as a happy and precious thing. It is a fact that when we grew up, we always looked forward to the day and age when we will be able to call the shots, decide what we will study, what we will become, and even what kind of people we want to be and become. Although it is all about making choices, it is a challenge requiring the willingness to accept responsibility and learn from the consequences of the choices we have made. The choice of freedom is a complex phenomenon in itself and is always a mix of emotions and expectations. Although it is a pleasure and a benefit in itself, it also has a certain weight and burden associated with it, and only by understanding this, we will be able to handle it with greater discretion and wisdom.The experience of ownership of one’s life is one of the strongest points about living life freely and making decisions on one’s own. There is more and more identification with the outcome since every individual makes his/her own choices. There is pride in winning since this comes through one’s own carefully deliberated decision. There are errors in the decisions taken; though there is pain in them, there is also more useful and presumably more memorable experience of error through them. Experience breeds accountability, and those making decisions on their own develop the habit of looking inward rather than seeking reasons outward, at others and circumstances. With time, this becomes second nature; through this comes growth and maturity and patience and emotional stability. A student choosing his/her own arduous topic and arduous activity develops the ability to meet the situation and comes out all the stronger through experience. These are moments and experiences that cannot but live through them; they cannot be taught; they must live through them. A mere decision on how much more time on the project and how much more time on self-studies rather than distractions makes an individual more responsible toward life.
Freedom of choice also stimulates independent thinking. With conflicting opinions, trends, and pressures from all around in this buzzing world, having their own opinion in their own way is invaluable to many. With freedom of choice, it means they are more open to questioning, thinking about, and reflecting on their actions before they happen. This is not to ignore advisors and wiseness, but to be able to think about what they’re in front of them and to rely on their own opinion. When progress in society is made, it’s made by people unafraid to go against the norm, to challenge the ways of the past, and to make their own choices based on their own comprehension. Take, for example, social reformers and inventors in history, those individuals who managed to change the tides of history by choosing to think differently. Independent thinking encourages creativity and courage even in the midst of doubt.
Another positive aspect that can be found in personal development. Rarely, if ever, is life a given, and whatever choice there is always entails what comes afterwards. This enables one to acquire knowledge of the type that comes by way of an education that’s learned through the experiences one encounters, such as it very often proves to be the most learning that ever occurs. Every choice made, whether it’s in the form of a successful or unsuccessful venture, always brings a lesson that’s new. Those that are capable of learning to go their way acquire flexibility and knowledge.Since they get to know how to view a situation, adapt a way by changing, and acquire an education by reassessing a situation, changing the way, and learning through mistakes, this comes to be a lesson that resonates within oneself, thus obtains insight. Something that seems weird may always provide an irreplaceable education. Since it takes the ability to move past the boundary zones and generate strength, it always always brings about improvement as a result. Those students that want to write for the school’s newsletter, for example, might get ridicule and doubts; but they acquire the ability that comes by way of communication, managing one’s time, and perseverance that just isn’t attainable through reading.
Choice also enhances creativity. Individuals are not bound by guidelines, allowing them to switch. Discoveries in art, science, social movements, or technology are made because of thoughts and decisions made by someone who decided to take action, even if it may seem crazy or not. Choice enables individuals to take unwarranted paths that would take others to something better. Take, for instance, an entrepreneur who embarks on a small, seemingly dangerous journey that would end up helping millions of others. Their ideas would go unanswered, and growth would stall if they did not have that choice. Students or young professionals who are allowed to make their own decisions can discover what they may have not known about themselves, which would enhance their personal or professional lives.
However, with freedom come various factors too. Pressure that comes with freedom is the most immediate turn-off. To freely decide is to accept the consequence. This may be intimidating. Fear is attached to the vital choices. Fear of regretting, failing, and judgment follows. Rather than freedom giving the experience of empowerment, in other instances, the sense may be of fear or indecision, crippled with the consequence. When matters concerning individual freedom are an issue, sometimes the simplest choices turn heavy. A college-going individual having the dilemma of going abroad or staying back in the hometown would involve factors of the heart, social networks, and money.It becomes harder because of a limitless amount of decisions: what field of career to take, what lifestyle to lead, what habits to cultivate, and even what company of friends you prefer-an endless number of options for every aspect of our lives. Decisions are a luxury, but too many of those cloud a person’s joy and just second guess repeatedly. They choose, but they always think of what could have possibly been better with the other option.
Freedom is supposed to be a blessing; however, it becomes some hidden burden. For example, a person trying to decide what course to take in college, what internship to opt for, or what pastime to enjoy. It takes more than just making a choice; it involves living with a choice confidently.
There is also a concern that freedom can be very ill connected to poor judgment. Wisdom is not a component of freedom itself. Foolishness, particularly at a young age, can lead to poor judgments that can cause troubles that can last a whole lifetime. The actions that result from emotional turmoil, or that are a result of their peers or a wish to satisfy a desire for instant gratification, can cause troubles that are difficult to resolve. How to spend time or energy can be full of much larger implications. The student who wants to pursue a subject simply because others are attuning to it, without thinking of how that relates to their own life, can be very irked if that does not mesh with what they would rather be doing.
Freedom emphasizes inequality. While it is given equally to all, there is no best possible option for the use of the same. “How people choose to use their freedom depends on what they are exposed to, what they are able to learn about it, what tools and resources they can gain access to, and what advice they can receive or give.”Those that lack support can end up struggling with the concept of freedom, and it will further emphasize inequality. Freedom can only be utilized and will be beneficial when support and knowledge accompany it, and it relates to how a right by itself can never replace the tools to properly apply it.A person from a peaceful city can experience such freedom but will have limited information. But the use of such freedom is being limited by the situation. There will be a social responsibility to provide such equality to ensure the right use of such freedom.
The feelings of freedom are understated but profound. Failure and success results from taking ownership of one’s choices. “Pride, satisfaction, and confidence come with success. But doubts, regrets, and self-blame come with failures.” Some people derive some comfort from instructions because it spreads responsibilities associated with tedious choices. Feeling isolated can come with freedom for these people. “Armed with self-understanding and emotional intelligence,” important aspects of a human being involve growing up from small choices like a “group project and negotiating with friends.” In this situation, freedom can also provoke social harmony. In regard to self-concern, the choices made may not necessarily be in harmony with socially accepted norms. The effect of choices where others’ feelings have not been considered might affect relationships, societies, and applications of freedom. On this note, freedom, as it ought to be, should be accompanied by a sense of conscience and consideration for others’ needs and rights. A strong society depends on individuals who apply freedom while considering other people’s needs, space, and rights. Reflection, wisdom, and morality should be combined with freedom. Reflectiveness is where one decides to pause and reflect, weigh issues, and contemplate the outcomes. During these periods, advice, learning through mistakes, and making conscious actions result in transforming freedom, which was scary, into a process of acquiring maturity. Through conscious decision-making, an individual converts freedom into a tool of real living.
Choices, whether big or small, show character, priorities, and values, and making these decisions builds identity. Living without freedom may mean that one is safe and that one’s life is predictable, yet living without freedom certainly doesn’t mean that one is truly living. Living life through the experience of freedom does not always mean that one goes through danger. Living through freedom does mean that one is given the chance to make one’s life exactly that – one’s life. One is given the chance to make one’s life exactly that – one’s life – through freedom that is delivered thoughtfully and through freedom that is managed well. One gets the chance to determine how one is careful and how one is brave. One gets the chance to determine how one is empathetic and how one is ambitious. One gets the chance to determine how one is patiently waiting and how one is independent. “Since freedom implies an exacting journey, to have it in the decision-making process is a reflection of life itself.” It reflects a life of commitments, limitations of knowledge, and implications of actions in freedom itself as it quotes.Deciding means more than simply choosing, it means learning, becoming, evolving, and living a significant, thinkfully, boldly, and purposefully, meaningful life.
By: Aradhya Srivastava
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