PURPOSE
Chase Freedom to Attract Happiness as a Packaged Deal
The privilege to fight for your dreams is a happiness magnet because it is self-care on steroids.
The word “temptation” exists because no one is always immune to the perils of instant gratification.
Even I surrender for quick gains when I don’t have the energy to strive one more day to work for my dreams.
But whenever I get an objective angle to remind me of my purpose, the answer is satisfying and enlightening.
In Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl, I could only finish the book’s first half. His book has so much timeless wisdom that I want to apply all of them before bombarding my head with information overload from the book’s second half.
His book shows that many people have the wrong notion of happiness because they seek it in something they can’t control.
For example, I always thought in college that the last day of semester exams would be my ticket to freedom because I’ll get a vacation to travel and binge-watch Netflix. But when the tests finished, I surprisingly missed the adrenaline of studying for them all night by snorting energy drinks.
When we fixate our happiness on something we can’t influence, it gives us an illusion of control.
What works as a happiness magnet is giving up the need to control everything around us. One way to achieve this level is to chase freedom.
#1. Own your time.
After knowing I’m leaving for Germany in 2023 to complete higher studies, a friend told me I would never stay at a 9to5 job there.
I haven’t experienced the job culture in Germany. Still, I’m sure my friend said it because of the freedom I got after quitting my 9to5 in India without telling my father and rising from the ultra-deep existential crisis that lasted more than a month. That’s 30 days of questioning why you are alive and breathing!
The freedom to customise your time management without answering to an authority who does not respect boundaries is a one-way street.
There’s no turning back because once your mind gets a taste of freedom, it becomes more addictive than porn. Your mental health shines with you, and you’ll do everything to protect your inner peace.
#2. Fight for your dreams.
Outstanding achievements build from small commitments compounding over a long period.
I published only one Medium article during my first desk job because the end-of-the-day fatigue would leave only one option, which was also limited to the weekends only: relax or party.
I couldn’t manage time for an online course I enrolled in to advance my technical skills. I couldn’t practice 30 minutes daily to develop the habit of writing, let alone talk to you after publishing 350+ articles.
The freedom to fight for your dreams is a powerhouse of happiness. When you create something that has never existed, the pleasure it gives knows no bounds.
Fighting for your dreams is a happiness magnet because it is self-care on steroids. It proves you have clarity about your priorities and will do everything you can to work for your goals.
#3. Freedom is infectious.
A friend said he wrote two articles on Medium because my 100-day writing challenge inspired him. It was an unexpected motivation that came when I was struggling with chronic writer’s block.
The freedom you experience in your life doesn’t stay confined in your head. It radiates. It shows in your words when you talk to people.
People will know you are a motivating piece of hot flesh when they see you talk with immense zeal about everything you do with insane dedication.
Your courage has the power to ignite someone else to overcome their fear. Inspiration amplifies our purpose when we see our impact outside of us.
The ultimate goal of life is service to humanity. We can measure our happiness by assessing our helpfulness to others.
Closing thoughts
Striving for freedom is easier said than done, but doing it becomes relatively manageable when you spend quality time with yourself to understand your life goals.
Our mental health depends on our ability to live freely without unnecessary obligations.
I wouldn’t know the value of freedom if I were still sucking to my boss at my previous job.
But once you experience the freedom of waking up every day to get closer to your dreams, there is no turning back because the impact is not limited only to you. It infects your people too.
Here is a recap for your memory:
- Freedom starts with owning your time without answering anyone who doesn’t respect boundaries.
- Fighting for your dreams is freedom from irrational desires.
- Freedom infects your community and may even put you on an unsolicited pedestal. Be prepared to become an inspiration for your people.
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Sanjeev is a mentor, writer, and fitness enthusiast from India. He writes about lifelong learning, personal growth, and positive psychology. When he’s not engaging with students in solving their doubts or busy writing, he’s sweating either in a workout, vlogging, or playing with his cat, Jim. You can also find him on Instagram and Twitter.
