In most cases, oppression is not caused by others, but by a source we least expect: ourselves. The condition of self-oppression refers to our inability to overcome negative thoughts and actions. It is an internal problem, a burden on the spirit caused by constant doubts, fears, worries, and distractions. The most common mistake we make in life is to blame ourselves for our own failure. The vibrancy of life is drained by our own inept thinking, our own bad habits. Happiness is ultimately a matter of our own oppression. Every time we limit ourselves, we are exhibiting self-oppression.
Because we are too anxious to explore, we stay at home instead of going out. As a result of our uncertainty, we procrastinate on important assignments or exciting new ventures. When the reality is we are too undisciplined to get things done, we fool ourselves into thinking things must be perfect before we release our art. A person who suppresses their own rights, desires, or well-being is called a self-oppressive, often resulting from societal pressures, internalized beliefs, or insufficient self-esteem. As a result, one may ignore his or her own needs, deny himself or herself opportunities, or conform to harmful norms.
Our dreams slip away when we don’t grasp at them, we lie to ourselves, and we break our own resolutions. Are we not aware that we can be our own worst enemies? It is also possible for us to save ourselves. After all this time, we can finally achieve freedom and joy in life by actively expressing our true nature, mastering our minds, and advancing our lives forward.
It is for this reason that we seek personal growth—to be free from the pain we cause ourselves, to make better choices, to feel better about ourselves, to feel more confident in social situations, and to unleash our full creativity and contributions so that we can make the greatest impact on the world.
Having Personal Freedom is about letting go of self-doubt and self-loathing and being our authentic, powerful selves without judgement. The freedom to be present and genuine in life leads to trust and confidence in oneself, to growth, mastery, and realizing one’s highest self, to authentic joy in one’s interactions and experiences in the world, to feeling empowered and liberated. In fact, genuineness and growth are the hallmarks of someone who is free and healthy.
As we become aware of these things, we must take responsibility for ourselves, asking, “Are my ambitions, attentions, affections, and actions truly mine?”? What matters to me most in the world and how am I pursuing them? In order to reach my full potential, am I willing to open up myself to change and challenges?
Personal power is directly linked to personal responsibility, which most people avoid. Such diligence reminds us that personal responsibility is linked to personal power. Freedom might seem to imply giving up or releasing responsibilities from one’s life, but that’s not the case at all. It’s common to think, “If I’m free, shouldn’t I be free from all responsibilities? ” But Personal Freedom is not liberty to finally indulge in whatever passing moods or inclinations strike our fancy.
Our needs cannot be met with reckless abandon, we cannot be cruel to the people around us just because we feel like it, we cannot take whatever we want, and we cannot act like an irresponsible buffoon just because it’s fun or pleasurable in the moment. Slavery to unconscious impulses and compulsions would be the result. The purpose of freedom is to live a life we truly desire, to leave a legacy we are proud of, and to choose who we are above and beyond our immediate impulses, needs, and social pressures. In the absence of freedom, we are controlled by something else, which in turn limits our potential.
Consequently, we are slaves if we do not take responsibility for ourselves or our beliefs. If we are ever to be free, we must be aware and responsible for our beliefs and behaviors. In the same way that freedom does not mean a release of responsibility, it does not mean that struggles are not to be encountered. There is no doubt that we all desire to be free of pain and limitations. However, we face a more complex quest for Personal Freedom. Despite wanting relief from pain, paradoxically, we don’t mind discomfort if it means stretching ourselves, growing, and making a difference.
Our bodies will push themselves so hard to become stronger and faster, which is why we will accept pain for gain. We will rise early in spite of fatigue to help those in need, we will sacrifice our time to help those in need, and we will suffer through what is wrong for a period of time to have what is right sooner.
Therefore, Personal Freedom goes beyond just being free from pain, but also being free to live, enjoy, and expand in life. The freedom to experience good things is not merely freedom from bad things that limits us, but the freedom to experience good things that awakens us. Our species transcended base animal instincts long ago; when we realized reason, judgment, and intelligence, we could choose beyond our simple physical impulses to avoid pain or seek pleasure.
Rather than focusing on immediate pleasure, we learned that meaning is more important. The best lesson we can learn from our mentors, heroes, teachers, survivors, leaders, saints, and legends is to be willing to forgo pleasure and endure pain for freedom, meaning, love, and transcendence. Thus, we wish to be free of pain, but still celebrate meaningful struggle and hardship due to the knowledge that those things will set us on a new path. It is well known that pain can be both necessary and heroic, that we should not condemn our difficulties, but rather view them as a rite of passage that leads to greater accomplishments.
Ultimately, Personal Freedom represents the human drive to transcend, perhaps with an enlightened and romantic aim. This transcendence, which is the ultimate demand and destination of the human experience, might be the main motivation of mankind. In the course of our lives, we strive to have more choices and prosperity in order to be able to truly express ourselves and give our loved ones more opportunities.
The ultimate freedom of the Divine awaits our souls in our last moments, as all that we have suffered for and suffered from is released. There you have it. When we die, we are released into the vastness of Freedom we seek in life. Individuals may not recognize self-oppression because they believe they are making choices out of necessity rather than suppression. Being self-aware, challenging limiting beliefs, and developing a strong sense of self-worth and empowerment are crucial to overcoming self-oppression.
