When we contemplate the word freedom, it is usually in the context of political freedom. World history is latent with examples of people rebelling against Royalty, Governments and even Religions to gain their Freedom. Wild animals have been known to die in captivity when deprived of their freedom and this characteristic seems ingrained in the genes of the human species as well. Freedom is worth dying for and throughout history, many have died.
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Our first reaction is that, "of course we have freedom of choice". "I am the captain of my domain." "No one tells me what to do!" Well perhaps not, but we cannot discount the influences of mass media, mass communications and the interactions with our immediate environment. Do I dress in this particular style out of my freedom of choice or have I been brainwashed by what is popular? What about my music; my heroes; and my many other preferences? Are these conscious free decisions or unconscious reactions to advertising campaigns? We enjoy political freedoms, but do we really have the freedom of choice or we simply pre-programmed? I propose there are four factors that formulate who we become as a human being, and in only one do we have freedom of choice.
1) Our Essence dictates that we enter in to this world as a human being. We have no freedom of choice in this mater. We cannot choose to be a dog or cat.
2) We come in to this world with a distinct set of DNA and scientists are discovering precise links between our DNA and our physical, behavioral and psychological characteristics. DNA research provides a compelling argument that we are born with a pre-set software program that determines our physical, behavioral and psychological attributes. This would be the nature portion of the nature vs. nurture discussion. (If you believe in reincarnation, then you believe that in addition to DNA programming, we are also programmed by past life experiences.)
3) The third factor is our environment and how our environment affects our software package. It is as if we are each our own unique "seed" ready for planting. We know this is a human seed with pre-set inherit qualities, but we do not know where this seed will be planted or the quality of the soil. Psychologists explain the dynamics of our early childhood's affect on our psychological development. We do not choose our parents and all the associated factors. Where we will live? Who are our family members? What is our economic situation? Who will be the people around my in my early formative years? All of these early environmental factors are beyond our control. This would be the nurture portion of the discussion.
4) The fourth factor is that our environment will change. We grow from childhood to adults. We do not usually stay in the same place, keep the same friends, or have the same likes and dislikes. As we grow, we have more and more opportunity to choose our environment. The friends we hang out with, our job and where we choose to live. Our environment is the one factor that as adults, we do have the freedom to choose.
In our world today, I don't believe there is much scrutiny given to choosing our environment wisely. I see us drifting unconscious, perpetually influenced by our day to day interactions with people and friends, mass media and mass marketing. If we think of thoughts as being like radio waves filling the airwaves, then what are the popular stations? 99.9 Power ? 94.2 Fame ? 101.7 Money! Our thoughts revolve around the pursuit of selfish pleasures and getting more things than we need.
We have the freedom do change our environment. We can choose with whom to associate; to be a taker of a giver; to love Life or love ourselves. We can change the stations and fill our thoughts with good energy. We just need to pay more attention to who we hang around with and what influences we let into our brain. The harm caused by the pursuit of wealth, fame and power has never been more relevant or obvious. How many crises must we go through before this becomes clear? If happiness is our goal then we are failing miserably. If we can come to this stark realization that the current model is not working, we will creative a new one. All we have to do is change the stations to 90.5 Compassion ? 97.9 Love ? 107.9 Joy.
