What Does Freedom Mean To You Essay

If somebody has asked me when I was 16 years old, what is freedom, I would tell him something like this: “Freedom is in doing what you want”. Also, I would say in addition that it is nice to be independent of somebody’s will, of your parents especially. And now, after few years of my “free” life have past, I must acknowledge that as my biggest delusion ever.
When I became elder and faced some of “real” troubles, I have understood that I was just a silly kid who did not know what freedom is at all. At the beginning of my study in high school I promised myself to leave parents’ house and try to became more serious, independent person (first of all, in financial meaning) – I just wanted to prove my parents, that I am adult already as they are and I can do whatever I want and so on and so far. Simultaneously I strived (suppose, as many other persons like me in such age) to spent my time with friends, have fun in lots of ways (such as travelling, going to parties, fast driving, even though I had no license yet ) and just never take any care about something else. Most important thing for me during that period was to assert myself. That is point from where my mind has begun to change and grow up in a real sense. I’ve started with finding a job. That was not so easy, as I thought before. Of course, I was looking for something, taking few hours of my time, as I needed to keep on studying, and giving me a possibility to earn some money for renting a small flat or room. I did not seriously care what kind of job that will be – probably because when you are so young, you are just not afraid of any changes or troubles and in fact, you do not know what is that up to the moment when is starts happening with you. I had no experience in any field, no special skills in doing something at all. That was first and most scary fact which has almost stop my crazy idea (that is what my parents have told me about my plan when they heard that first time, especially my mother, who is, besides, very smart and insightful woman). However, I have insisted on my will and started search. I was surfing Internet for advertisements where general workers were hired. And on one of such days of my search I have found small publication from restaurant, welcoming new waiters. I said: “Why not?” and dialed number. Though, it was around 7 pm, I was invited at once to come to that small restaurant to my very first interview — owner did not want to lose time and he also wanted to check my ability to be trouble-proof worker. I took a bus and arrived in half an hour at that place. Obviously, when hostess took a look at me and heard that I came to interview, just smiled and was shocked a little bit, as I was too young. She accompanied me to manager’s office. I came in and saw a man looking 35 years old, sitting in a big chair and typing something on laptop. He did not even look at me, his first question was: “Do you have experience as waiter?”-I replied “No”. He continued typing and asked if am ready to work hard, as position of waiter is not even a “job” in fact — it’s just a work which must be done. I told him: “Yes, definitely!” Then he looked at me up, as office was not too big and I was standing right in front of his table. He seemed to be very busy, but when he saw me, so young, almost a kid, his face was really surprised. He was silent for a while, and then he asked: “Why are you looking for a job? Don’t you have parents or somebody to take care of you? Do you think you are ready?” I replied to all three questions at once – “I just want to try”. In next 10 seconds he was sitting speechless – could not believe in what he was seeing and hearing. Then he said “I will help you to try”. Next writing in details will be useless. We have discussed my work hours (as I had to go be at school during first half of a day), my earnings (as I was new and had no experience, I have started with lower salary, then others) and some other questions regarding work. Next 3 months which have past from that eve I will always remember as hell on the earth. I went to school, after classes flew like a bird to my workplace and started my tortures. Manager was the one and only person who taught me everything from the very beginning — starting from how to walk with a dish to how is it right to say “Good bye” in such a manner, that visitor will come back soon. It was hardest time in my life ever — first of all, it was hard emotionally, as I had to study and to work at the same time. But I did not give up. After 1st month I have managed to learn a lot, passed many training and received my salary for my probation period. I spent money on renting a room not far away from school and rest of money I have spent for buying food till next salary.
My parents were disturbed a lot, but they did realize it was my own choice and did not try to prevent my doings. I did not fail classes, tried my best to study well, work began to bring be joy (and besides, money —what was not bad at all, taking into consideration my goal to assert myself).
I told this short story from my life for you just to know that basic and ironclad principle which helped me to see how this life works for me, is really easy :“If you want something-just take it.” The title on this essay says about freedom, and at the very beginning I have stated that when I was thinking about freedom as about simple financial and moral independence from somebody’s will, it was my huge mistake — that is true. Since that time I had more important and serious changes in my life. But one thing for me always stays the same — my freedom. And this definition is not the one which I wrote at the beginning.My freedom is in being faithful to my own, to my dreams and thoughts. Only following that rule gives me assurance that regardless of who I am and what I am doing , how much I am earning, which house I am living in and which car I’m driving, I will stay same person as I am now. The rest is just a dust.