I am working my way through this book of quotes I got from our local library’s used book sale. The book is entitled THE WISDOM OF ALPACAS.
The theme of the book is individuality as expressed by celebrated thinkers across time. I’m not sure I celebrate this thought from AYN RAND.
“FREEDOM:TO ASK NOTHING. TO EXPECT NOTHING. TO DEPEND ON NOTHING.”
Is freedom really nothing? Is freedom even achievable? If this is freedom do I want it?
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Notes From the Vicarage 
I find that quite cynical and lonely
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I think you are right Basia. Never expecting anything of anyone means never entering fully into relationship.
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That sounds awful lonely and self reliant, void of hope and I don’t want that kind of freedom.
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I think there is something to releasing expectations and being open to opportunities we had not thought of before. That I think is a part of freedom….but having no expectations at all seems not a quality of freedom but of despair.
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Indeed. When one is disappointed over and over again it is sometimes easier to not expect or hope for anything because then you won’t be disappointed again so I guess it is freedom from disappointment but the ultimate cost is bondage and like you said, despair which definitely isn’t freedom…
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That is such a truth. This world’s best imitation of freedom is a poor substitute indeed.
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I think of freedom as a form of agency — of personal choices — of awareness of what is in my locus of control, what I can influence, and what I have no influence, control over. Then choosing where I will exercise my agency — which requires ongoing exploration and clarification of my purpose and my destination in this life’s journey. From this, being in the present, being enough, in the flow of living, ready and able to make choices as I move through life, being willing/able to keep learning/exploring (which I love) — (relates to your more recent post on contentment)– and is the choices of agency that feeds my happiness (relates to your most recent post …. all seems connected.)
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It does seem connected. I love it when ideas from various places in our lives synergies to explain our broader experience as humans.
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