Financial Freedom: What does it mean?
I’ve been thinking about freedom—and more specifically financial freedom.
When I was in my early thirties I had a conversation with my therapist about freedom. I was in graduate school at the time, and was in a tug of war with the part of me that was a world traveling gypsy and the part of me that longed to be a mother with a nest. At the time my relationship with money was casual and opportunistic—more like “friends with benefits” than a committed, loving marriage. I chose to stay ignorant, as this fed my belief that I was not good with money.
One day this therapist asked me to define freedom.
I stumbled a bit and said, “Freedom is being able to set my own schedule, travel when and where I want without asking permission or for time off—freedom is choosing what I do each and every day.”
She said, “Where does money fit in?”
“Money? I think money gets in the way. I want more money, sure, but if I pursue money I’ll lose my freedom.”
“That’s interesting,” she said, “because I think money creates more freedom—with money you have the freedom to travel on your on terms, eat excellent food, support causes that are near and dear to your heart. Money also gives you independence and choice as well as the power to make things happen in the world. I don’t think money and freedom are in opposition.”
“Uh…. Wow! I never thought of it like that.”
She planted a seed over twenty years ago that I’m still learning from!
This explains why I named my free e-course Art + Money = Freedom. I want to invite the conversation and plant a few seeds. Once I was able to wrap my head around the idea that having money gave me the freedom to save, get health insurance, buy art, own a home, provide well for my child, and contribute more generously to local charities, my relationship with money began to shift. It’s amazing what happens when you declare what you want! Who knew that I would become a financial professional and educator? Who knew that I would discover a completely different relationship with money and freedom than I even imagined possible?
What is your definition of freedom? How does your current relationship with money support your ability to live as you wish? What gets in the way of having financial freedom? Post your comments below!
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Years and years ago, one of the great ministers in Religious Science, Dr. Raymond Charles Barker, said “Prosperity is being able to do what I want, when I want, with whom I want.” I accepted this as my defination and it’s a good one!!