The Essence Of Freedom

Life is too hard and too risky in the eyes of many. By contrast, others are such proponents of a virile existence, demanding great courage and giving great pride, that they are ready to leave the coziness of their home to scale Mount Everest and breast the elements for the sheer joy of conquering the summit. Whatever the perspective, the nature of things remains unchanged. There are rules, necessities and duties, and limits, possibilities and impossibilities. Until doom, one can accept them and make the best of them, much to one's pleasure and honor, or one can do the opposite and suffer the consequences. The choice between these two options is the very essence of freedom. Personally, I have no use for the second option: a self-inflicted misery that is without the slightest doubt a pitiable way of life.

The first option, on the other hand, is a pleasurable and honorable alternative that I find compelling, though uphill. It is applicable to any situation encountered in the course of one's living venture, provided one is not unfortunate to the point of being hopelessly unable to cope. The range of this applicability corresponds with the range of one's adaptability. It is normally considerable, despite the tendency to cling to old gratifying habits even after they have become impracticable or unsuitable, owing to a change of situation. One can be weaned from such habits onto new gratifying habits, in the same way as a baby can be weaned onto solids. The more the change is significant and one is reluctant to adapt to it, the more the weaning process is difficult and long in producing the desired effect. Again, the only option worthy of one's attention consists in taking things as they come and making the most of them, for one's sake and that of others. The reverse is foolish and harmful, a deplorable waste of humanity.

On the whole, the power to live in a well-adjusted and high-minded way and the freedom to choose this way in preference to the alternate, illegitimate, way are the foundations of the life one builds. The exercise of this power does not necessarily imply a principled resignation toward the status quo. One may be faced with a remediable evil that calls for a struggle to remedy it, effectively and rightly. In that case, living in a well-adjusted and high-minded way entails accepting the need for this struggle and the means of waging it, and sparing no effort to attain one's end. Ills are a test of will, an opportunity to show dignity.

They are also an opportunity to probe and appraise one's inner resources. Over the years, I have improved my situation and especially my attitude, whose negativity was the most unfavorable and improvable aspect of my life. In so doing, I have discovered my true richness. Nature has endowed me with an adaptable capacity for happiness within the limits of my changeable reality. According to my observations, this capacity is not unusually great, compared with that of most people. I am even tempted to think it is somewhat lagging behind. Eleven years plus to adapt in triumph to my physical disability is no feat for the Guinness Book of World Records!

During that time, the riddle of life had more or less baffled me. Yet, laboriously, with the help of many books and much thought, I had managed by degrees to clear it up, enough to find a meaning to my life. This riddle is comparable to a mire: The slower you go through it, the deeper you get into it. Perhaps thinkers are commonly untalented in the art of living and their saving grace is their dogged determination to redeem this lack of talent by dint of studying the human soul. Amusingly enough, these untalented individuals are often perceived as gifted, once they have seen the light and reflected it with the numerous mirrors of an elaborate analysis, after a tentative and protracted search in the dark.

This sort of overcompensation is typical of people who experience difficulties in a certain area, but refuse to admit defeat. While some fare well in this area with a minimum of effort, they try hard to overcome these difficulties, with the result that they often fare better than the others. Their redeeming feature is their willpower in the face of their shortcoming, which they use as a reason to redouble their efforts, not as an excuse to throw in the towel. This is a recipe for a worthy success. They discipline and surpass themselves, and thus proudly turn things around.

Laurent Grenier's writing career spans over twenty years. During this time he has broadened and deepened his worldview, by dint of much reflection and study, and in the end has crafted "A Reason for Living," his best work to date.

Official web site: http://laurentgrenier.com/ARFL.html

---

How to Put the Sizzle Back in Your Relationship with These Seven Goal Setting Tools

Goal Setting and Relationships?That is not as weird as it... Read More

Five Minutes Before the Miracle

Even though this article was next on my idea list,... Read More

Letting Go Of Perfection

"The power of discovery enables us to achieve excellence without... Read More

Remember Within

Remember when you were really young? It was an era... Read More

If You Were an Angel... What Would You Do?

If you were an Angel what could you do to... Read More

Life Goes On

Boy, do I feel old. Or at least older.No, I... Read More

On Sunsets and Telecom

Another perfect sunset seen from Redondo Beach, California. Since arriving... Read More

The Best Policy

Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 28,... Read More

Naomi and the 5 Life Lessons

Not long ago, I attended a seminar that featured Naomi... Read More

$12 And 90 Minutes To Change Your Life

Have you ever listened to self hypnosis tapes? Or listened... Read More

Escape From the Dungeon: Jennifers Survival Story

Have you ever been encountered with a trauma in life... Read More

Taking the Leap of Faith

So often we stop and look at our lives and... Read More

Dream Lover

Direct Answers - Column for the week of September 1,... Read More

Five Reasons To Journal

Keeping a journal during the coaching process is one of... Read More

To Thine Own Self

Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 6,... Read More

Faux Feelings

Direct Answers - Column for the week of November 10,... Read More

Escape into Reality and Find Love

The early months of this year brought major challenges, as... Read More

Message From An Angel - Is It Yours ?

This is a message from an Angel. Can you relate?... Read More

Stay With It!

I walked out of his office inspired. All I could... Read More

The Art of Giving

In the pursuit of the life we dream of, this... Read More

Three Amigos

I feel rather foolish writing this letter, but I need... Read More

Motivational Posters - A Source Of Inspiration?

What Inspires You? What motivates you to get up in... Read More

Getting Unstuck

According to the Buddhists, between January 29 and February 12... Read More

Are You Really Living Your Life Today!

Yesterday I was but a child, looking. Looking ahead at... Read More

When Failure is a Gift

I wanted, for many many years, to be a mystery... Read More

Have a Green Day, Every Day!

Green symbolises growth. Growth requires change and transformation. This article... Read More

Attaining Financial Freedom

Financial freedom is not about having enough money to spend... Read More

My Mothers Garden

I love to talk about Purposeful Living with others and... Read More

Nine Lives

Direct Answers - Column for the week of September 2,... Read More

The Tiniest of Gladiators

I stared into those biggest of navy blue eyes and... Read More

Have You Voted Today

Huh? You're probably wondering when this article was written, and... Read More

Surefire Ways to Develop a Thankful Attitude

Spend some time thinking about how good you have it.... Read More

Lifestyle Changes ? A Conscious Choice!

Are you ready for a change? Is it time for... Read More