Investing Your Freedom

Suppose you had $10,000 of spare cash. A friend, whom you completely trust, poses an investment opportunity that would double your investment in a week. Would you go for it? Of course you would. Because you trust him. You would easily invest the entire $10,000, knowing with all confidence that it would double in a short time.

Here's another example. You are on a game show. You have won $25,000 so far. The game show host tells you that you can go on ahead and go for the $100,000 grand prize, or you can walk away with $25,000. If you go for the $100,000, and you get the question wrong, you lose everything. But the question he's going to ask you is on a topic you happen to be an expert in, so technically, there's practically no risk. Would you go for the $100,000? Of course you would.

The above examples I use money. But this same principle applies to freedom. You can trade your freedom in for much more freedom. And there are no risks.

Watch television, or go for a walk.

Let's say it's 6:00 PM and you're home. You feel like watching television for the next hour. You have a choice, you can watch television for the next hour, or you can go for a brisk walk for that hour. You don't feel like walking. You want to watch a certain program on TV.

"I don't want to go for a walk because I would be giving up my freedom. It would be lost."

Not lost, but traded in. You are investing your freedom for greater freedom. The greater freedom in this example is the feeling of being alive and spiritually balanced after a one hour walk. That kind of freedom is much greater than the freedom of watching television.

There is no "have to." You are not obligated to do anything. There is no "or else." Do not say "I better get out and walk.. or else." Instead, say "If I watch television, that's good. If I go out for a walk, that's even better."

Don't kick yourself if you spent the hour watching television. Cast out any thought of unforgiveness. Instead of condemning yourself and questioning your actions, say "I enjoyed that hour I spent watching TV. I did what I wanted. There are always more opportunities to invest my freedom, and I am progressing. There are no limits."

You will always be faced with a decision: Choosing little freedom or great freedom. Like I said, don't kick yourself if you choose the 'little freedom.' You're only human. Forgive yourself if you have any frustration or regret. Because after all, forgiveness also is freedom. Trade in the temptation of getting frustrated, and you will receive more freedom.

Trade your immediate freedom and temptations in for greater freedom. There are absolutely no risks. Choose to either have some freedom right now, or trade it in and have much more.

Remember, near term freedom is good, trading it in is even better. You are forgiven no matter what choice you make. You can never be in condemnation (unless you condemn yourself). Whichever decision you make, your value doesn't change. The only thing that changes is the amount of freedom you experience.

Withhold your money, or give to a stranger.

Let's say you are walking down the street in a large city. A homeless man approaches you and asks you for a dollar to get something to eat. You feel no desire to give to him because you suspect he will use it for drugs. You have the right to not give him anything. You have that freedom.

If you trade in your immediate freedom, however, and give the man a dollar, fulfilling the ask-and-receive principle, you will experience far greater freedom -- the good feeling of knowing you made someone happy. In summation, it feels good to hold on to your money and not give to a stranger in need. But it feels even better to give.

Play video games, or study.

Let's say you are a teenager. It is evening, and you have a test to study for tomorrow. You have no desire to study. Instead, you want to play video games for the rest of the evening. If you play video games, you fulfill your immediate freedom, and it feels good. If, however, you spend the rest of the evening studying, instead of playing video games, you'll go to bed with a much greater feeling of satisfaction, knowing you are well-armed for tomorrow's test. It's a feeling that has lasting power.

Investing and forgiving.

The bottom line: make it your ambition to trade your little freedoms in for bigger freedoms. Forgive yourself when you make mistakes. Forgiveness is the most important thing. Forgiveness will keep your mind open to more opportunities for greater and greater freedom. Happy investing!