I believe as we grow and mature, we tend to have fewer options. This may be because we know ourselves better. We develop a framework or a philosophy for living. We are clearer about what we allow ourselves to do. This framework keeps our lives from running amok.

As children, we often think the sky is the limit. We mistakenly believe that freedom is having no constraints, yet constraints are helpful. Studies show children like parameters. They want to know what we expect of them. They appreciate the limits placed upon them even when they act like they do not.

So this notion of freedom being unbridled and of the “anything goes” variety is not very accurate.

Parents and teachers enforce responsibilities for children. These are external to the child. As adults, these responsibilities arise from within one’s own conscience and become internal guideposts

Freedom is more lovely when it is within the confines of our morals and is in line with our beliefs.

The words of Eleanor Roosevelt certainly ring true to me. “With freedom comes responsibility. For the person who is unwilling to grow up, the person who does not want to carry his own weight, this is a frightening prospect.”

I believe those of you reading this are not in that category. Pause today to think about the joy of narrowing your options and the simplicity it adds to your life.