Greetings, weekend community, I found it especially interesting and very important to reflect on the meaning of this phrase:
"Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired but bye controlling The desire."
Epictetus
Perhaps one might think that freedom implies doing and undoing as we please, enjoying what we like, indulging our cravings without restriction.
Generally, when we are children or very young, many of us seek this freedom, but how wrong we are.
You are truly free when you are able to curb your impulsive emotions, desires and whims that we know are irrational and can be harmful to others and to ourselves.
Being able to control your desires implies having what we call willpower, that inner strength that allows reason to prevail and, therefore, you are truly free from your own bonds and limiters.
My husband is a physician, he is a doctor in physiology and has smoked all his life, he could not free himself from that vice, today he is more than 70 years old and suffers from an obstructive pulmonary disease (EPO), he had to reach this situation so that he would not smoke anymore, he freed himself from the vice, but with a sequel that compromised his health.
Today instead of going to a festive activity with some fellow students from the university, we had to go to the polyclinic to get aerosolized.
While I was writing I was thinking that in my country, in these times the consumption of drugs and alcohol has increased, perhaps as a way to evade the many problems we have, many young people also because they think it is a way to demonstrate their autonomy and freedom.
In this way they become slaves of addictions, which can end their lives, those of their families and lacerate society.
I recently wrote on @holosandlotus :
"I hope to be more free every day of everything that can cause me pain or not let me move forward and hinder the welfare of my family that has always been the goal of all".
May we all achieve true freedom, which is to recognize our needs as human beings and always make reason prevail in order to live with authenticity, integrity and fulfillment.
Thank you all for reading, very special thanks to @galenkp for getting us to reflect on such a significant topic.
The images are my property.
I used the translator DeepL
Old or young many use vices one really needs to curb, yet most of us don't. Best to warn young generation, although most don't listen.
That's right dear @joanstewart. Thank you for your support and comments 🤗
Many things we do listen, sadly not all...
I agree, you will not be free if you are a slave to your desires. xx
The Epictetus quote you mention resonates with the idea that true freedom is not simply about following our desires, but about having the self-control to decide what is truly best for ourselves and those around us. Your husband's experience highlights how crucial this control is and how impulsive decisions can often lead to painful consequences.
That's right @merlysmont my parents used to say that freedom is not licentiousness, there is that limit that we must not exceed. A big hug. 🤗🌹