Freedom

Recently, a young woman, apprehensive at the prospect of her in-laws moving in with her, said to me that this might curb her freedom. It set me thinking about freedom. Is it something that is given to me by another? But then it can always be taken away and so is not genuinely mine. Or can it be a seed which has to be planted within me, nurtured and grown? The seed of self worth. I nurture it by valuing, protecting, honoring my needs, desires, inclinations, and all that defines me. I do so by assertive behavior which protects my individuality and at the same time respects another's.I neither encroach nor allow encroachment. And this is something I have to work at within. A prerequisite is introspection which results in self awareness and self knowledge.This self knowledge leads to self love, and then one does not deny oneself to please another. Fruit of freedom grows on the fully grown tree of self worth. It belongs to me and cannot be taken away, no matter what happens outside.