Ben Johnson, Ed.D.’s Post

RESTRAINT HOLDS THE HIGHEST FREEDOM !!! Man was created to be free! And anything that tries to subjugate man is usually is resisted by man! Nelson Mandela’s LONG WALK TO FREEDOM biography is one of the recent classical examples of the price for freedom! Wars, Revolutions, Riots, Protests and all kinds of extreme reactions have been part of man’s disposition is his quest for freedom! FREEDOM IS EVERYTHING!!! Yet, the greatest liability of man is unmoderated freedom!!!👌 The rise of all kinds of forms of extremism; colonialism & neocolonialisms; the prevalence of different forms of perversions; the harrowing existence of serial killing maniacs and the rise of weak adults with no real gusto to face life are just a few of the results of the consequences of unmoderated freedom!!! Freedom ceases to be freedom when it loses its boundaries!!! The creator has given man the special gift of unlimited free will and choice to choose any course of action but unfortunately not the freedom to choose the consequences of whatever actions man chooses!!!👌 Our freedoms allow us to choose any action we wish. But WE ARE NOT FREE TO CHOOSE THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY ACTIONS!!! So the true boundaries of freedom is consequences!!! This is where moderation comes in as the truest of freedoms cos no matter how free we are, we are bound to this REALITY that: EXTREME FREEDOM HAS EXTREME CONSEQUENCES!!!👌👌👌👇 https://lnkd.in/dPhMxzNV B49Add1MKbU65 ☝️SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE!!!🙏🙏🙏☝️

My first true freedom is the freedom not to have to take a drink today. If I truly want it, I will work the Twelve Steps and the happiness of this freedom will come to me through the Steps – sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. Other freedoms will follow, and inventorying them is a new happiness. I had a new freedom today, the freedom to be me. I have the freedom to be the best me I have ever been. #aadailyreflection #soberquotes #ValleySpringRecovery #addictionrecovery #healingjourney

What does Freedom mean to you? As we complete our 77 years of Independence, let's spend a moment on What does Freedom actually mean to us? At different life stages, it meant different things, Freedom is not a concept carved from stone; it is malleable & personal. Freedom means to have the right to do and say what you like. Freedom means self-determination. It is what enables humanity to achieve its unlimited potential, without being beset by forced diktats or imagined constraints. Freedom is not just what makes dreams come true, it makes dreaming possible. And it obliges every free person to free another. This is at least how the dictionary explains freedom. Freedom truly means giving equal opportunity to everyone for liberty & pursuit of happiness. Personal freedom is one of my top values. My personal definition of freedom is the ability to act based on my convictions without external restriction or retribution. It is the ability to represent myself as I see myself to be, not having to hide or disguise who I am in order to pursue happiness, fulfillment & growth. It is the power of free self-expression. And, with free will comes moral responsibility – our ownership of our good & bad deeds. There are boundaries to freedom - My actions should not hurt others or restrict their personal freedoms, and so this is the dance of conscience. Will what I want conflict with what others want or need, is the constant question which we need to answer. However, whenever I think of freedom, the first thought which comes into my mind is of Gratitude - to those who lived selflessly and sacrificed their life to get us here & now, gratitude for those who ensure that we continue to enjoy our Freedom. Freedom for me, is the ability to make Choices & to carry them out, as long as they show no unjust, unnecessary or unreasonable limits of others' freedom. Freedom for me, means the right to choose; I can choose my friends, my actions, my life, my career, my religion. What freedom means to me is also, not being judged by what I do & what I say. Next, freedom is a matter of great joy and pride for me – to bask in the feeling of having been born in a free nation & continue to do so. Freedom is constantly evolving & each of us are a part of this evolution and need to contribute towards it, as it all starts with self. Going forward, I pray to the almighty and shall strive for freedom from envy, greed, malice, hatred, regret, vengeance, self-pity, ignorance, unwanted desires & top of all, I hope & shall make a concerted effort towards freedom from negativity. Finally, for me 'Freedom is a chance to be better - together.' On the 78th Independence Day, Lets cherish & respect our freedom. Let all of us get together & Let's Celebrate Our Freedom! May God bless our country & may we stay blessed forever. Wishing everyone a very 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 Jai Hind 🇮🇳🇮🇳

Such a right on, intelligent, beautiful post, from my connection, Sharise Nance, LCSW Compassion Fatigue Consultant. The freedom to be who we are-and our full selves, is something many people struggle with. But what are we here for? To be half of ourselves? Or live in an invented persona? No. For me, the path to freedom has been tough! First child, to an abusive man, and being a fey little intelligent boy who could read at 4. Having to defend my mom. Came out as gay at 18, in 1986. First week of undergrad. A watershed decision in many ways and many road blocks ahead-especially to become a child psychologist as an out gay man. Advisors told me it would be impossible. I didn't accept that, but I new-like Oprah has said about being black-that if you're a minority, you have no choice but to be excellent. So I worked HARD. Ended up getting full ride offers for my PhD, from several distinguished universities. With generous stipends. But that was only the first battle. The country's battle for independence, Sharise Nance, LCSW Compassion Fatigue Consultant, is, you're so right, a day to celebrate the many battles each of us has to fight to be free. Free of society's biases and discriminations. And internally- for each one of us- the ability to free ourselves from our own internal struggles. Such a right on, intelligent, beautiful post. Thank you. #indepence #july4 #freedom #psychology #therapy

Why Freedom is Important – 18 Reasons Freedom is an important gift that every human being can enjoy. Being free means being able to choose what to do and be yourself. We should do it because it makes us happy and safe. Freedom makes everyone happy, just like it makes you happy to do what you want. Let’s find out more about how important freedom is. https://lnkd.in/dbetRh2J

Much of the modern world has built its understanding of freedom upon Thomas Jefferson’s famous formulation of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” But what would life be like in a society of unrestricted freedom? How many of us would choose to live in a society with no rules at all, where everyone was free to drive on either side of the road, to take whatever they desired regardless of rightful ownership, to indulge every whim and impulse without a thought of accountability? The absolute “freedom” of pure anarchy provides no protection for the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In truth, unrestricted freedom is no freedom at all. The illusion of freedom convinces us that our own gratification comes before our obligations to others, before even our obligations to ourselves. If we allow our desire for unrestricted freedom to steer our lives, we will find ourselves enslaved by our desires no less than a chain smoker is a slave to his cigarettes or an alcoholic is a slave to his gin. This Monday evening, Jews around the world will sit down to reexperience the Exodus from Egyptian slavery, not merely to remember our national origins and mission but to recover our focus on the never-ending fight for freedom of the mind. Because, more than anything, Passover celebrates the freedom to think, to take stock of our lives and reassess our values, to take a fresh look at our own motivations and our own decisions, to acknowledge where we may have lost sight of truly meaningful goals and sincerely commit ourselves to striking out on a truer course. Enjoy the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gQsq9K5m #passover #ethics #mindset #freedom #perspective

Freedom means To do what one Wants without Interference from Others. Freedom Also means being bound to one’s own lot in life and learning how to contend with it as well as Other people For other people Can be both Hell as well as Heaven Loneliness is Freedom from other People except when Forced to be confined Solitarily. Is Freedom Power or is Freedom Privacy? Is Freedom Free or does it cost? Is Love not Freedom To be bound to other People? Be they friend Or family or foe? What does freedom Mean anymore if I am constantly Obligated to do more Be more go more What does it mean If I am never satisfied Nor contented with Where I’m at? And Frustrated with the Things that have Made me happy? What’s the point Of freedom if it Is only had by a few? Is freedom an Illusion or a curse? Does it ever feel like A neurosis or an Obsession? Freedom From what and from Whom? Freedom for What? Is freedom Simply the freedom To do nothing when And iff one wants? Even if it would be To the detriment of Other people? Is That all freedom is? It seems like it. Freedom to me Seems irrational Freedom to me Can seem like An angry temper Tantrum and I guess I want to have one Of those too. I want to be free From wanting I have a need to Be free from needs I’m angry I cannot Get them. I’m angry I cannot be alone And want other people Just like other people Do. I’m angry I have To contend. I’m angry I have to yield and survive I’m angry at wanting To be free from freedom For I know I will want Something more as I grow old. — Michael Robert Neal

The world of freedom is about respect. On a day as solemn in our country as this, it's important to remember what so many have given their all to warn our world about. Freedom is the right and value of every person on this planet. However, for much of our history freedom has been thwarted, cowed, or stifled between people. This is because freedom is no less and no more than mutual respect between all people. History has shown that, when there are those with more or less power, bondage is an easily reachable state. One where power rules and might makes right. Freedom however is rare amongst people as it is a balanced state. One where respect rules and power is kept in check in and among the people involved. So remember freedom is novel, fragile, and harmonious. It can be shaken by a blast, pained by a loss, and questioned by an act; but it is the only beacon to lead us forward from barbarism and it starts and ends with respect. #freedom #respect #911 #alwaysremember #balance #EECLLC

It's freedom you want? It will cost you & it's so worth it. Here's why... Freedom is something we all desire. Freedom financially, freedoms to make our own decisions, freedom to live our lives as we choose, freedom from our past and freedom from the ties to people who disrespect or dishonor us. We all deeply desire freedom. Freedom comes after a death to something that no longer serves the destination to your dream. Read that again. ⬆️ So many of us are not willing to sacrifice our current comforts to experience the freedom in the other side. We play it safe, don’t want to rock the boat, don’t want to upset anyone……. Meanwhile we are sacrificing our own freedom that is available to us on the other side of fear. What do you need to let go of to have the freedom you dream of? 👉🏻old beliefs that you can’t have the life you dream of? 👉🏻people who don’t have your back? 👉🏻a career that doesn’t light your soul on fire? 👉🏻an identity? 👉🏻fear around money? If you are currently feeling a level of discomfort in your life…..ask yourself what needs to “die off” for your freedom to come forth. Discomfort is teaching you….It’s time to TRANSCEND an old paradigm that no longer belongs to you. Are you feeling it?

🇺🇸 5 crazy ideas I believe about freedom in America: 1️⃣ Freedom of speech requires responsibility. I’m not saying we should limit free speech. I’m just saying we should use it wisely. 2️⃣ Trusting mainstream media blindly is dangerous. Contrary to popular belief, relying solely on mainstream media is a myth. • News can be biased. • Facts can be twisted. Important stories can be overlooked. Relying on mainstream media is a shortcut to deception. 3️⃣ Most people take their freedoms for granted. “Most people” do what “most people” do. Which leads to, ↳ widespread apathy. ↳ lack of critical thinking. ↳ diminished individual power. Clearly what “most people do” doesn’t work. Do something else. 4️⃣ Ignoring the need for independent thought is a giant mistake. → Question everything. → Educate yourself. → Stay engaged. 5️⃣ Seeking comfort over freedom is a silly goal. Comfort without freedom leads to stagnation. Active participation is a better pursuit in life. It keeps our democracy healthy. It ensures our voices are heard. It empowers us as individuals. ⑊⑊⑊⑊⑊⑊⑊ PS: I'm grateful to have been born in the USA. Isn't freedom a beautiful thing to protect? 🧨 Do you celebrate 4th of July?