Freedom is an ideal that many of us consider in a global way and on certain holidays, we may take time to think about it in more profound ways. In North America, we celebrated Canada Day on July 1 and U.S. Independence Day on July 4.

Freedom can be a personal choice. One of the most inspiring examples of this freedom mindset—to choose freedom regardless of circumstances—may well be personified by Nelson Mandela. During 27 years of imprisonment under deplorable conditions, he managed to stay true to himself and keep his spirit intact. When freed and asked repeatedly how he managed not only to survive but to emerge stronger than ever, he quoted William Ernest Henley’s poem Invictus.¹ The two key lines that Mandela immortalized with his personal story are: “I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.”

Humans Being More is the Nikken approach to being the “master of my fate” and “captain of my soul.” By working on our inner selves every day of our lives, we develop into who we are meant to be. Few of us will live heroic lives akin to that of Nelson Mandela, but many of us may live productive lives that positively impact others. “Being more” is an evolution and does not stop. It is embodying the words of Theodore Roethke in his poem The Waking: “I learn by going where I have to go.”²

Going where we have to go is similar to the Nike motto: “Just Do It.” Take the plunge. Don’t overthink it. Go with your gut. Over-analysis is paralysis. We’ve heard these exhortations to action over and over again, because actually doing something is what makes our choices happen, not just mulling them over. Our freedom mindset is what propels us forward and enables us to take action.

The freedom to do something of our choice (or not) is a gift. In contemporary societies, it’s common to feel obligated to attend certain functions, to be at the beck and call of family members and friends, to work unpredictably long hours—to surrender to the requirements of others. Much of this is a part of adulthood, but self-care is also needed for us to endure for the long haul. Taking time for ourselves each day—to exercise, read something of actual interest, pay attention to pets, or have a nice cup of tea—are part of the freedom mindset.

Choosing freedom does not mean shirking responsibilities or feeling entitled to things we did not work for. When someone has never had to work for something desired, entitlement sets in. This entitlement inevitably leads to discontent because there is no association with value. We naturally gravitate towards gratitude when we know the value of something and experience the effort of obtaining it. What do we have in each day that we are grateful for? We cannot feel free if we focus on what we don’t have. We can, however, focus on how to obtain what we want. Being able to choose what we want and to go after it, is also a type of freedom we sometimes take for granted.

Especially during uncertain times, we create our own lack of freedom by adhering to preconceived notions of who we should be or what we’re capable of doing. Then something happens to remind us that change is the only constant, and we can choose to go with the flow or swim against it, but inertia is not an option. Best of all, we find out that we are capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for. When we use our freedom mindset, we surprise ourselves—in such good ways!

Whatever we choose to use our freedom mindset to accomplish—whether it’s to become debt-free, learn a new language, or to spend more time with our children and grandchildren—we can only rely on our own defined intentions to make it happen.

Successful entrepreneurs have the freedom mindset. They do not want to be bound by 9-5 limitations, they do not like the security of staying in a box, and they enjoy taking creative risks. In entrepreneur speak, they say that success is reached through a series of failures. In the freedom mindset, failure does not exist—failure is only a stepping stone to success.

Nikken wishes everyone a joyful summer filled with new experiences found with your freedom mindset! From July 1 through September 30, get the Summer Active Wellness Starter Pack that gives you access to three technologies: PiMag® alkaline water with patented nano-fiber filtration, organic antioxidant nutrition and patented DynaFlux®magnetics. You get one each of the PiMag® Sport Bottle, Kenzen® Super Ciaga® Powder and your choice of one pair of Kenko mStrides® or Kenko mSteps® at 20% off the total price.

1https://www.inmatesurvival.com/how-did-nelson-mandela-survive-27-years-in-prison/

2 https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43333/the-waking-56d2220f25315