Freedom — it is what America stands for. It means the state of being free, independent. Freedom means many different things to different people: financial freedom, freedom from sickness and pain, religious freedom — the list goes on and on.
What does it mean to you to be completely free? Take a few minutes and close your eyes and picture your life free of anything that binds you. It could be your finances that hold you in bondage. It could be a disease or an addiction holding you back. Whatever it is, I want you to close your eyes and imagine your life completely free.
Now, take a deep breath and relax while holding that vision in your mind for a few minutes. You may be picturing yourself running down the beach free of knee and back pain, or you may be sitting there enjoying the fact that you are finally financial free. What a wonderful feeling of relief.
Now exhale and open your eyes, still relishing the moment. I want you to think about how you are going to make this visualization into your reality. What is the one reason that you’re not living in freedom now?
My answer: belief. You lack belief in yourself that you can. You have to believe in yourself, right now, for the freedoms you want. Quit making it so hard and just simply believe you can. You have the power to change your life, and that change has to start today — not tomorrow, not next week and definitely not next month. The time is now!
Freedom does not come easily; it doesn’t come without paying a price or making a sacrifice. If it’s financial freedom you want then you are going to have to make some sacrifices. You may have to downsize your house in order to pay bills off. You’ll have to sacrifice the frivolous spending. If it’s freedom from disease, such as obesity, you are going to have to sacrifice those late-night indulgences. You’re going to have to pay the price of pain in the gym.
One piece of advice I would like to share with you when it comes to gaining your freedom is that you have to stop making excuses. God does not give us excuses, the enemy does. The enemy likes to tell us, “You’re too injured to lose weight, you’re too old to change, or you’re too far in debt to get out.” But I am here to tell you that those are nothing but lies. You are never too old or too young to make a change in your life. God wants the best for us. He wants us to prosper and be the best we can be.
But we have to pay the price. What price are you willing to pay in order to better yourself and live in freedom? Will you go for a walk today? Will you eat healthier today? Will you cut back on your spending habits? Will you quit smoking? Will you make the sacrifices it is going to take in order to be free? How bad do you want freedom?
I recently was at a seminar, and the president of a prestigious company said, “Are you truly free? Free to do what you want, when you want, and with whom you want to do it with?” So I ask you those same questions, along with, “What is stopping you?” You have the power to direct your life and get the results you want. You have the power to set yourself free!
Sometimes, we need to seek advice from other professionals in order to be set free. I recommend surrounding yourself with those who you want to be like or who will offer a positive influence in your life. If you have any questions on how to become financially free, I recommend calling Monica Everett, a financial coach in Richmond Hill, at 478-714-0464. She offers complimentary financial planning and debt elimination. Call me at 478-542-0454 for fitness and nutrition issues. For all other health concerns, please contact your health-care provider.
Ward is a personal fitness trainer and nutrition counselor in Richmond Hill.