When you think of freedom, what is it that you envision? To be without restrictions or limitations? To be able to act, speak, and do as you please? 

Freedom is defined as:

1: the quality or state of being free: such as

a: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action

b: liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another : INDEPENDENCE

We often conflate freedom with independence or even privilege and opportunity, but these are each separate, unique things. The truth is freedom varies from person to person. It is being free of what people think of you and being independent not only in autonomy but in mind as well. 

When a human trafficking survivor makes the remarkable transition from survivor to thriver they discover their own freedom, their thoughts, feelings, and desires free from oppression. Being trafficked is not only a physical or financial bondage, but a spiritual one. Once coercion and necessity is no longer placed on a person, they can explore and discover their own self-worth.

Freedom also means openness and transcending both internal and external barriers. Another definition of freedom is “having the ability to act or change without constraint”, so when these constraints are removed, we can do whatever we have been held back from doing. While the constraints vary from person to person, we can all take steps to overcome the power of others and find power in ourselves.

What is something the circumstance or anxiety has prevented you from doing? How can you pursue these things in 2021? What steps can you take to achieve it?