The 4th of July is coming up soon and that always gets me thinking about what freedom means to me. Here is a definition of freedom: The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.

I like this definition. It also says that freedom is not being imprisoned or enslaved. And although most of us fortunately have freedom to go where we want and we’re not kept prisoners in the physical sense of the word, many people still feel emotionally imprisoned and financially trapped and thereby feeling the opposite of freedom.

To me freedom is being who you are fully and unapologetically. It means freedom of self-expression, freedom of not letting what others think take control of your life. It’s freedom to go where you want to go when you want to and do what you want to when you want to. It’s the freedom to know that you will be okay no matter what and to trust that you will always be supported in life.

Although a lot of entrepreneurs work for themselves to gain more freedom in their life I have witnessed so many being slaves to their business – and I have been there myself.

Some people have freedom on one level, but lack it in another area of their life. Maybe you have a lot of time, but not enough money to do what you want to do. Or you maybe you work all the time and have a lot of money but no time or freedom to enjoy it. Somehow, very few find a way to balance freedom in all areas of their life.

I believe that in order to achieve real freedom, it has to start with inner freedom and peace. Only when you have inner freedom can you create true freedom in all areas of your life. It is not something you gain from the outside. When you feel free inside, you will experience being free in the outside world as well. As within, so without.

As usual the answer  lies within. Because without inner freedom there is no way you can create freedom in your outside world.

Freedom begins with you. It begins with your mind, with your thoughts, and your beliefs. And it begins with your courage and your faith.

Your courage to do what you want to do, to not let other people’s opinions stop you from doing what you want, from having the courage to walk your own path, to say things that people may disagree with, go against the grain if that’s what you are being called to do, to dare to fall on your face, to fail and get back up again.

To dare to step out in faith and learn that the net will be there when you fall. To be free is making a decision that you want to be free and to let all the imaginary walls you have built around yourself crumble to pieces.

Most of the things blocking you from freedom are self-constructed walls you have created for yourself based on false rules, expectations and beliefs and programming – this is what’s keeping you inside imaginary walls that lock you into your own self-imposed prison.

But you can step out of that prison and into freedom any time. It’s just a matter of making the decision that freedom is more important than being trapped. It requires a lot of inner work, but you can get there and I can promise, when you feel that moment of peace and freedom, it is all worth it.

You are here to learn, to stretch yourself into the best version of yourself. Any challenge is just there to teach you something. If you don’t feel the freedom you want today, know that it is there for you.

You need to start challenging your beliefs for what’s possible. Because unless you think something is possible for you, it will not be, because whatever you think is the reality you will create for yourself.

Are you feeling free? What rules, beliefs or expectations do you need to change or let go of in order to create freedom on the inside? Feel free to share your comments below.

If you want to step into a life of more freedom and joy, make sure you get a copy of my free Success-soul™Living Starter Kit here: free resources.