What does freedom mean to you?

"If freedom means anything at all,

then it is the right to tell people what they don't want to hear.”

- George Orwell -

I came across this quote from George Orwell while reading and it stuck with me. I immediately thought of countless situations in which this is exactly what happens: People don't want to hear certain truths. Why? Because it's uncomfortable. Because it would mean change. Because it requires courage to leave familiar paths. But is it really always “society” or “the system” that restricts our freedom? Or does the origin of this restriction lie much more often within ourselves?

Freedom: restricted from outside or self-limited?

If we are honest: Much of what we perceive as a restriction is actually an active self-restriction. We find good reasons not to give up familiar habits. We gloss over risks or avoid information that would force us to rethink. Freedom is not only the right, but also the responsibility to recognize and act on uncomfortable truths.

But how often do we really make use of this freedom?

A conversation between two different friends

Let's take a conversation between two friends as an example. One of them is open to critically questioning and changing things, even if he often encounters resistance. The other, let's call him “Waldemar”, has worked in the finance and insurance industry for many years. He is a staunch advocate of “classic” products such as fund policies and building society savings contracts.

But in conversation with his friend, Waldemar showed an increasing interest in new approaches, such as what we do at Via Bonum. He had heard about precious metals. “A good idea,” he said, especially because his own company was ‘too expensive’ in this area. He even wanted to order a few silver coins, just in case.

His bright friend thought to himself: “This is the ideal conversation starter: clear and logical - a comparison of building society savings contracts with precious metals, a look at the effects of inflation. That should be enough to get people thinking.

But what happened next was revealing: internal defense.

“Yes, but ...”

“Our customers trust me.”

“That has proven itself.”

And then came the real reason for the defense:

“I have built up a large portfolio over many years. I receive follow-up commissions from this every month. If I leave the company, I lose all that - I would never give it up.”

A typical example of what we like to call self-denial of freedom. Not because it is forbidden to act differently, but because it would be too inconvenient. Too expensive. Too risky. And so everything stays the same.

The awareness that by failing to change, he was not only harming himself, but everyone who trusted him, should be more important than a monthly follow-up commission.

Professional incomprehension and the consequences

What was particularly shocking, however, was that even after decades, Waldemar had no in-depth knowledge of how his own “classic” products work and what serious consequences they can have for customers in the long term.

What stops people from listening?

The story of the comfortable and unfortunately ignorant Waldemar is exemplary for many. And it raises a crucial question: How often do we actively decide against what is actually necessary just because it means change? “Where I am, I want to be.” - a sentence that does not express pride, but often stagnation.

“Those who are willing to sacrifice freedom to gain security deserve neither and will lose both in the end.”

- Benjamin Franklin -

Freedom is often uncomfortable at first, but it is worth it

We live in a time when freedom doesn't just mean being allowed to say something, but also having the courage to listen. And to act. Each of us knows situations in which convenience and habit have won out over knowledge and change. But those who take their freedom seriously must not only lament the external constraints, they must also loosen the inner shackles.

Let us work together to ensure that we are not the kind of people who only value freedom when it costs nothing.

Best regards

Manfred | Via Bonum