Instinctively, many of us believe FREEDOM is synonymous with one’s ability to participate in boundless (over indulging) pleasures available in life. Although we’re capable of intellectualizing the consequences of this type of “freedom,” hormonally, we’re frequently driven to override our intellect to satisfy our emotional desires.
HOW DO WE COMBAT THIS UNHEALTHY REACTIVE BEHAVIOR FREQUENTLY CONTROLLING OUR CHOICES IN LIFE?
One successful method is redefining “FREEDOM” in a way that satisfies our rational and emotional needs and wants. This requires refocusing our attention on the BIGGER PICTURE and recognizing the freedom this bigger picture offers.
If you currently perceive FREEDOM as:
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the ability to walk into a fast food restaurant regularly for a quick meal
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or having a hot fudge sundae, piece of cake or candy bar any time of day or night
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or choosing to drink energy drinks loaded with sugar and caffeine in place of water
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or choosing to avoid exercise altogether because you’d rather do nothing at all
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or living in anger, resentment and hostility because the world has “done you wrong”
you might want to reconsider whether these FREEDOMS enhance or impede your LONG TERM ability to enjoy life.
You see, healthy dietary habits along with other life enhancing patterns of behavior offer FREEDOMS unavailable to those choosing to perceive these enhancing lifestyle behaviors as “restrictive” and “unwanted.”
WHAT FREEDOMS ARE SACRIFICED WHEN ONE CHOOSES THE “FREEDOM” TO OVER INDULGE IN UNHEALTHY BEHAVIORS?
In many cases the FREEDOMS sacrificed often include some combination of the following:
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Emotional stability
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Quality energy
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Ability to achieve quality sleep
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Quality brain function (clarity)
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Hormonal stability regulating healthy desirable outcomes
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A healthy body and mind (free of chronic inflammation) preventing a multitude of diseases including gastrointestinal disease, type 2 diabetes, auto immune diseases, heart disease, stroke and cancer
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The ability to discover MEANING, PURPOSE, PASSION and LOVE in life.
Do you think it might be time to re-evaluate your perception of FREEDOM?
Why not choose a definition and LIFESTYLE that continuously enhances one’s QUALITY OF LIFE over time? Choosing the type of “FREEDOM” that satisfies immediate gratification and over indulging only causes LONG TERM pain and disability. It does so by imprisoning oneself within a degenerating body and mind that gradually reduces (BOTH) function and choices in life. Unfortunately, for most of us, “FREEDOM” from this kind of imprisonment only occurs upon the arrival of DEATH!
IS YOUR CURRENT PERCEPTION OF “FREEDOM” AND LIFESTYLE CHOICES LIKELY TO INCREASE OR DECREASE YOUR LIFE’S POTENTIAL?
All About Healthy Choices 
Pertinent and too the point as always Dr J…I know which I choose and truly I enjoy my food and my life…I don’t know what is good about being a couch potato???
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This is because you don’t view your balanced approach to eating and living in negative terms. It is a reasonable compromise because of all the benefits you experience. So many can’t let go of harmful living habits because they don’t have enough QUALITY in life to substitute for these habits that frequently offer temporary satisfaction.
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That is so sad but I believe that all this celebrity culture doesn’t help at all…It has gone way too far like an unstoppable juggernaut …
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With you, of course, Doc, although I worry when you have to shout at me (BOLD TYPE)!! Fortunately, we have to freedom to eat healthily, to exercise to our capacity and to try to look after our fellow globe dwellers. Sadly, not everyone has this freedom of choice.
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Some of my audience is hard of hearing so I sometimes utilize BOLD TYPE. 😀
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Am Freedom and define myself as a tale of talents, a person of passions… if I can’t live these states to my fulfillment then am no longer free and got some real soul work to do… hardly anything can lure me to give my own self up… thanks for this post as usual doc
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You have the type of rebel soul desperately needed by society. It searches for the best outcomes and maintains an energy level required to get the job done. A rare type of person in today’s world.
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In yester years or maybe even now in some places, I could be drugged and labelled sadly. My eyes have seen stuffs yikes, but I refuse to not be free lol
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It takes a strong personality and will to overcome the many obstacles in life most of us face. You have certainly had some challenges and overcome obstacles many people in life would have chosen to avoid. It is clear you have the wisdom to recognize avoidance NEVER removes the obstacles we face.
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Deal and heal I tell my clients. You choose when and if or how you want to do that. Thanks for the compliment doc. I have sure validated some real life school courses lol
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This post touches on some pertinent issues our society is struggling with. As we we become wealthier and technological miracles abound, the array of lifestyle choices seems endless. Like you said, many have the notion that freedom means doing whatever you want. Without discipline and self imposed boundaries it evolves in to slavery.
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Very well said. People have a difficult time believing unlimited freedom can lead to self imprisonment (or slavery as you express it.)
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great post…I am so selfish with myself…I need to learn to be more free with me!!
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Sounds good to me!! 🙂
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What do I not love about this blog so beautifully said well done doc thanks for the info so true🙌🏼 do check out my new blog post hope you like it do let me know what you think would love that😊
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Always appreciate your kind words. Will stop by your blog as soon as possible.
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I started a book on willpower yesterday – I’m several chapters in, and so much of what they discuss is closely related to what you say here. Thanks to you, I feel like it’s a lot of remedial work for me (though really, having it reinforced more is never a bad thing – the more strategies you have to deal with the temptations and “freedoms” above, the easier it is to recognize where true freedom lies and which choices are the ones that will allow you to live your best life.
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So well said. Glad to have provided some additional insight to make the undertaking more recognizable and achievable!
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A freedom in living life could be an unrealistic way in expressing life in general. Life from the beginning till the end has a way to throw hurdles, unexpected situations and the like. Some things are beyond our control no matter how hard we try. Diseases are not always brought up by a couch potato lifestyle, and one has to remember it can happen to each and everyone of us, whether it is cancer, go ahead explain how a newborn already can be born with a brain tumor. I feel offended at times when judgmental people think people bring certain diseases onto themselves. I wish everyone refrain from same song and dance and somehow try to understand anyone can be in that position. Life is fragile. Lend a helping hand if you can with a silent voice.
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An interesting perspective.
I tend to believe “hurdles” are (both) created by humans AND mishaps independent of human behavior. In general, however, I refer to known behaviors that people CHOOSE to participate in that increase the likelihood of “hurdles” that impede quality living. This FREEDOM of choice is the freedom I question whether people truly understand.
There is no blanket answer to explain the tragedies in life we see. There are circumstances (as you detail) that leave us (doctors) shrugging our shoulders when asked “why?” This, however, does not justify living lifestyles that substantially increase the chances for disease and dysfunction (IF one is going to complain about this “unfair” outcome.)
I can say, with confidence, if consumers accepted greater personal responsibility for the quality of their own lives, a much larger percentage would enjoy a healthier physical and mental outcome. It always amazes me that people (in general) choose to ignore this reality.
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Great Article Doctor Jonathan – wise words for us all to heed!
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Thank you.
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here is a post I thought you might enjoy, make sure you scroll down to the hash tags used … totally agrees with your perspective and arguments, so it is catching on!
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-20/how-men-are-embracing-clean-eating-posts-on-instagram/9889192
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I hope your absence on here means your off with your sweetheart having fun…………xxkat
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AZ is calling my name. Been working hard on making it happen. It has monopolized my time.
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Nothing wrong with that…its calling my name to, I am sitting in an empty house in Calif waiting for the right buyer to say I want it…LOL
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I dropped by to see if there was an update – happy to see all is well!
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doing okay, trying to sell the house in California. So was busy getting it ready for the market, and its been on the market for a couple days now. Fingers crossed that she sells quickly…..how are you doing…
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Good luck! Selling a house is definitely not an un-stressful thing. All is well here (we’re trying to stay cool in some abnormally hot weather).
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I popped over to check in on you too. You moving to AZ?
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I replied to your question by going to your blog site and clicking the contact button.
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Just saw it and responded.
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Great article! I hope that these words will change the life of at least one couch potato 🙂
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Reblogged this on Sandy’s blog.
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I love your perspective, great post!
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Reblogged this on MLLESHOPPING.COM.
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[…] via How Do You Define “FREEDOM” In Living Life? — All About Healthy Choices […]
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The desire of gold is not for gold. It is for the means of freedom and benefit. Ralph Waldo Emerson
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To enjoy freedom we have to control ourselves. Virginia Woolf
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“For what avail the plough or sail, or land or life, if freedom fail?”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
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“Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and human dignity.”
—Herbert Hoover
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“Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.”
—Albert Einstein
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“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
—Nelson Mandela
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I miss your posts, Doctor Jonathan. Are you okay?
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Just completed a 2200 mile move from North Carolina to Arizona. This was my project over the last 6 months. I planned this move 5 years ago along with my wife and my beagle (Tucker.) NOT an easy undertaking…but sooooo very worth the effort.
I should be back in about 1 month. Thank you for reaching out and making sure all was well. Nice to know people in the wordpress community look out for each other!
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Yaay!! I feel so much better after reading this. I have been thinking about you for awhile, wondering why I hadn’t seen your blogs in my reader. Finally I looked you up. Yes, moving is big time stressful and time consuming and exhausting, even when it’s for the best. Take care, and I am looking forward to your posts when you are ready to start again.
My husband and I only moved sixty miles, last March. Even so, we are still not fully recovered.
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A very fitting post for over the Christmas holidays Dr. Jonathan. There are so much stuff coming I to work , which we are “free” to help ourselves. And I have to be so very careful.
Reading the above thread, I hope everything is getting settled after your big move.
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Hi Jonathan. I have been out of commision lately for many reasons. My father had a stroke. Boy was that an eye opener. He wasn’t living a healthy life by any means, but he was in better shape than me. He survived but is living in long term care and cannot come home. Would I want to live his current life? No way!
On top of that is my own eating problems. Finally admitted I have an eating disorder. I binge terribly. I have gained more weight than I ever have. My diabetes is totally out of control. Endocrinologist tells me that my body is no longer creating its own insulin and that he considers me now a type 1.
I am working with my psycho-therapist for the eating disorder and the issues I have to deal with that I feel a need to fill with food. Bad food. I have started to go to Overeaters Anonymous meetings. I live by myself now so no one asking me if I want to go get dinner or lunch or whatever all the time. I don’t drive as much which cuts down on the trips to fast food places. I have even started to cook some.
The exercise part is hard with the chronic pain which is not responding to any of the procedures done on my spine so I am hooked on pain meds still. I do know that all this weight is the reason for most of my health problems, but doesn’t seem to go down no matter how much I work on cutting down the amount of foods. When I binge it is all carbs and sugary treats. I am doing better, but still have issues.
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Sounds like you have been through a lot BOTH physically and emotionally. The longer one travels down a harmful path, the more difficult it becomes to reverse the harmful outcomes. This doesn’t mean, however, one should stop working to improve personal behavioral habits.
Consider reasonable baby steps along with patience over time. They accumulate and lead to better physical and mental outcomes when people “stay the course.”
Reducing your chances for avoiding a similar outcome your father has experienced, requires significant personal commitment. I hope your willingness and capabilities to follow a better path achieve the results you desire.
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I know the longer I go this way the longer it will take to reverse and of course I need the desire to do this. I am still fighting with myself over this. I just had a bad fall. So the pain is worse and I can’t just walk it off or whatever. I am almost out of pain pills due to a change this month and it didn’t work so the insurance is balking at covering it even though I turned the prescription into the dr. There is always something.
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Life is challenging…persistence and patience are two important components to achieving desired results.
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My diabetes is now considered type 1, my body is no longer making insulin and soon here I will be going on an insulin pump.Waiting for it to be delivered now.My insurance will cover $4000 and I have to cover $1000. And then there are all the supplies and the insulin. He feels this will give me a better chance at covering my insulin problems.I am lucky, my insurance does cover most of it. Some people do not have that luxury. I had no problem with giving myself the shots 4 times a day, but this will keep a more even number all day and night. She help me with all the possible bad things that can happen.
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The endocrinologist feels it will help with all the possible bad things that can happen to diabetics. I think that sentence is right this time.
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Excellent advice and words to “live” by. 🙂
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Thank you for taking the time to read my article. I appreciate your comment.
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