We usually think freedom means being able to do whatever we want. And in one sense, that is true. Being able to choose for ourselves and not be controlled by others does feel like freedom. But life slowly teaches us something deeper. When we do only what we feel like doing all the time, it often ends up hurting us.
Think about a little kid who loves candy. If the kid eats candy all day just because they want to, they’re going to get sick. When an adult says “no,” the kid might feel restricted or angry, not realizing that too much candy isn’t actually freedom—it’s a problem. The kid doesn’t yet have the self-control or understanding to see beyond the immediate craving.
The same thing applies to us. Imagine thinking freedom means driving 90 mph on a 50 mph road. If everyone did that, it would be chaos. That kind of “freedom” doesn’t lead anywhere good. This is why real freedom always comes with limits—especially the limits we set for ourselves.
Real freedom isn’t doing whatever impulse pops into our heads. It’s having the strength to not follow every impulse. Our minds are full of feelings—likes, dislikes, cravings, moods. If we obey all of them, we might feel good for a moment, but we slowly become controlled by them. What I feel like doing today might go completely against what I actually care about. Laziness can pull me away from growth. Anger can pull me away from peace. Pleasure can pull me away from health.
Freedom begins when I can pause. That moment when a desire shows up and I don’t immediately act on it. When I can say, “I see this feeling, but I don’t have to obey it.” That pause is powerful. That pause is self-control. That pause is freedom.
The ability to stay calm even when I can’t do what I want—that’s real freedom. It comes from knowing that constantly giving in to impulses only traps us. And honestly, it’s impossible to always get what we want anyway. Life doesn’t work that way. When we demand that it should, we suffer. But when we learn to choose wisely instead of reacting automatically, we actually become freer.
So discipline isn’t punishment. It is intelligent. Not doing what I feel like doing isn’t denying myself—it’s liberating. True freedom isn’t getting everything the mind wants. True freedom is not letting the mind control us.
Pause for Reflection: What does real freedom look like for me in this moment?
Bluishmuse 