Financial Freedom and The Abundant Life: Empower Your Dreams

By Deryn

Sep 22, 2023

Sibelius monumnet Helsinki showing organ pipes that are tree trunks of the forest

Photo Pixabay, Sibelious Monument,

Music becomes a voice for change

I have long believed that the arts serve purposes far beyond decoration. A painting can tell a story. A poem can preserve a memory. A novel can give a forgotten person a voice. Drama and dance are transient vehicles for storytelling. And music? Music can bring people together.  have seen something of this for myself in my travels. I have stood before the monument to Jean Sibelius in Helsinki, Finland, and I have visited Estonia. Standing in those places, knowing something of their history, gives a different meaning to the music. You begin to understand that these were not simply composers writing beautiful melodies. In times of oppression and uncertainty, music can become a vessel carrying the identity of an entire people.

Music when a nation finds its voice

Consider Finland. For more than six hundred years, Finland was part of the Swedish realm. In 1809, it passed from Sweden to the Russian Empire and became an autonomous Grand Duchy. During the nineteenth century, a growing Finnish cultural movement sought to strengthen a distinct national identity. The Kalevala compiled from Finnish oral poetry, became an important expression of that identity. Artists, writers, and musicians began to give Finland a language of its own, not necessarily a political language, but a cultural one.

Sculpture of Sibelious Head, Helsinki

Photo Pixabay, Sibelious Monument

Then came Sibelius. In 1899, during a period of increasing Russian pressure and attempts at Russification, Sibelius composed the music that would become Finlandia It was originally part of a series of historical tableaux presented at the Press Celebrations in Helsinki. The final section, known as “Finland Awakes,” stirred something deep in the Finnish people. Finlandia became a symbol of Finnish nationalism. When I stood before the Sibelius monument, I wasn’t just viewing a memorial to a famous composer. It reminded me of what happens when art helps people remember their identity. Sibelius helped give Finland a sound, and sometimes people need a sound before finding a voice. Organ pipes represented the trees of the forest; forests go deep into the psyche of the Finnish people, a voice that resonated with them.Estonian Music Festival Stand

Estonia sang its way toward freedom

I experienced a similar feeling when I visited Estonia. Domination by powerful neighbors has marked Estonia’s history, and during the Soviet period, language and national identity were under pressure. Yet Estonia had an extraordinary cultural treasure: its singing tradition.

The Singing Revolution of the late 1980s demonstrated just how powerful that treasure could become. Hundreds of thousands of Estonians gathered at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds and sang traditional and patriotic songs together. They sang Mu isamaa on minu arm, “Land of My Fathers, Land that I Love,” a song that had become deeply associated with Estonian identity. They also sang the patriotic songs of composer Alo Mattiisen.Music of Estonian Dancers

Estonian Folk Dancers, Video - Deryn van der Tang

This was nonviolence; they were not taking up arms, they were raising their voices. By 1989, the movement had grown into the remarkable Baltic Way, when people in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania joined hands in a human chain stretching across the three Baltic countries. Music had helped people remember they belonged to something larger than the political system that governed them.

The music that defied ruins

Then there is Sarajevo. During the terrible siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s, cellist Vedran Smailović became known as the “Cellist of Sarajevo.” After twenty-two people were killed while waiting for bread, Smailović returned to the devastated area and played Albinoni’s Adagio in G minor in their memory. Picture a city under attack. Amidst the broken buildings and people living in fear, a man sits with his cello and plays. The music could not stop the bombs, nor could it bring the dead back. But it declared something profound:

Beauty had not been destroyed. Human dignity had not been destroyed, and the human spirit had not been destroyed. That is the power of the arts.

Why do the arts matter?

When we talk about social change, we often think about politicians, protesters, legislation, and movements. And, of course, these matter. But underneath every movement is something deeper: a story about who we are and what we believe is worth preserving. Artists help us tell that story. A composer can give a nation a melody. Poets can preserve a language. Painters can capture a landscape that becomes part of a people’s memory. A storyteller can take the ordinary life of one family and reveal something universal about courage, suffering, and hope.

Perhaps that is why oppressive regimes have so often tried to control language, literature, music, and art. They understand something we sometimes forget: culture holds memory. And memory gives people identity.

The Bible tells us, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).

Sometimes someone speaks, paints, sings, or writes that word.

The arts may not change the world overnight. Yet, they have the power to shift how people view the world. And once people see differently, they may begin to think differently, hope differently, and eventually act differently.

As I think about Finland, Estonia, and many other places I have traveled, I remember that the arts form a vital part of human society. They are part of our inheritance; they carry the stories of those who came before us. They inspire courage in those struggling today and plant seeds of hope for future generations. Perhaps that is why music has such extraordinary power.

A single voice may be silenced, a single instrument broken, yet a song alive in people’s hearts proves much harder to destroy.

And sometimes, when a people begin to sing together, the world begins to listen.

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Someone holding a bunch of cash

Access to resources and finances plays a significant role in the quality of our lives. It’s the foundation on which to build our personal freedom. It enables us to follow our dreams and make choices. However, the power of resources and finance comes with responsibility. We will look at a few of these in this month’s blog.

Personal financial freedom comes at a cost. I doubt that any society does not have a system of reward for labor. Even subsistence farmers are rewarded with life-giving crops and livestock. Moving into a more advanced society, we work for a boss or learn skills to generate wealth ourselves. We exchange our time for a financial reward so we can pursue our dreams, buy necessities, and generate wealth.

Knowing the principles of wealth creation, economic dynamics, and resources helps us make choices that align with our personalities, God-given gifts, talents, and values as we seek economic freedom. Ironically, while access to finances reduces the stress of living hand to mouth, it can also be a source of considerable stress. Managing finances, dealing with debt, and worrying about financial security can lead to anxiety and mental health issues.

Empowering through Employment

Employment is one of the most common avenues for securing resources and finances. A job not only provides a source of income, but also offers stability, benefits, and opportunities for growth. Employment is the foundation upon which most people build their financial security and freedom.

Your earnings should be enough to cover daily expenses, save for the future, and invest in personal development. Money provides access to healthcare, education, and retirement plans, ensuring a safety net for unforeseen circumstances. A stable job empowers you to make choices about your living arrangements, travel, and leisure activities, enhancing your overall quality of life.

Financial stability also provides peace of mind and reduces stress and anxiety related to money matters. Having meaningful work generates income and fosters a sense of purpose and self-worth. We will feel accomplished, contributing to personal fulfillment. We will also be able to be generous towards others, supporting charities or causes near to your heart. The ability to choose a career aligned with your passions and interests is a gateway between employment and freedom. Not everyone will achieve this but can continue to doggedly pursue their dreams to find a level of fulfillment.

The Art of Investment

Financial planning is crucial in wealth building and financial freedom, this includes investments. Investments can take various forms, including stocks, real estate, bonds, and businesses. Wealth is built over time through prudent investment choices (there is no such thing as get rich quick!) culminating in financial independence.

Investing offers the potential for financial growth and diversified income sources. Diversification protects against economic downturns and unforeseen challenges, reducing financial vulnerability and can generate passive income. Savings are a cushion in times of unemployment and a stepping stone to buying real estate, starting your own business or travel.

Investing in Yourself

Although people often associate investment with the Stock Markets, you can also invest in yourself. With limited resources, you can self-educate, taking courses that are in alignment with your dreams and goals. Not accepting the status quo, you can build your skills to greater levels, empowering you to be employable at a higher salary level and in line for promotions. Continuing education is one of the major keys to unlocking financial freedom. If you are literate, you can learn to do almost anything. The availability of courses on the internet can help you self educate with limited resources.

The internet has revolutionized the way we access information and resources. Online courses, tutorials, and educational platforms have made learning new skills and expanding our horizons easier than ever. These resources can help you adapt to changing industries, pursue new career paths, and remain competitive in the job market. You can also take advantage of mentorship and networking opportunities. These are instrumental in personal and financial growth. Building relationships with mentors and peers provides valuable guidance, support, and access to new opportunities.

Entrepreneurship: Forging Your Own Path

Entrepreneurship is the next step in building financial freedom. It provides an avenue for creative expression and financial independence. Starting a business allows you to take control of your destiny, innovate, and manifest your dreams into reality and make a bigger contribution to society.

Entrepreneurs use their resources and finances to turn ideas into opportunities. They embrace risks, confront challenges head-on, and adapt to a changing world. Through entrepreneurship, individuals don’t just accumulate wealth; they create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and impact their communities.

However, investment and entrepreneurship come with inherent risks. Poor financial decisions can lead to debt, loss of assets, and financial instability. It’s crucial to be well-informed and make prudent financial choices.

Breaking the Barriers of InequalityBlack Children learning

 Without resources, considerable effort is required from an individual’s inner resources to break out of the poverty cycle. Some people find it hard to access resources and finances because society does not distribute them equally. Economic inequality creates an imbalance in opportunities and outcomes. Access to resources and finances unlocks opportunities. Resources help individuals to break free from the confines of poverty, limited choices, and societal constraints. With financial resources, people can pursue education, acquire new skills, and explore avenues that were once out of reach. In this internet age, it has become more accessible for people to acquire knowledge and skills without the significant investment of formal education and student loans.

For instance, education, often considered a bridge to success, requires financial investment. People who can access quality education, hone their talents, and expand their knowledge, and build their networks with others pursuing similar or aligned pathways, which is a resource itself. This increases their employability, income potential, and the freedom to choose their career paths. It is more difficult to achieve this solely with self- education.

Nurturing Financial Literacy and Ethics

To harness the full potential of resources and finances, it is imperative to learn financial literacy. Understanding how money works, budgeting, saving, and investing wisely are essential skills that empower individuals to make informed financial decisions. Financial literacy equips people with the knowledge to manage resources effectively, avoid debt traps, and build a secure future. This should be a priority taught to children so they can learn the value of money, time, and work. Many skills go into acquiring financial freedom, as financial literacy is the key to keeping and growing wealth.

Access to finances can sometimes lead to a focus on material possessions and consumerism. This can lead to wanting more and more, acquiring things over experiences, or helping others, potentially leading to a less fulfilling life. The pursuit of financial gain can also sometimes clash with our ethical values. You may face moral dilemmas when making financial decisions, prioritizing profit over principles and people.

In a world where resources and finances play a pivotal role in personal freedom, it is crucial to recognize that the journey toward financial freedom is dynamic and evolving. It requires dedication, continuous learning, and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances. By embracing the power of resources and finances, individuals can shape their destinies, contribute to their communities, and lead fulfilled lives.

Ultimately, it’s not just about accumulating wealth; it’s about the freedom and opportunities that wealth can provide so we can live out our purpose with passion, having enough for ourselves, some to grow and some to help others reach their dreams too. Living out the abundant life that Jesus promised, “I came that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

2 Comments

  1. Dianne Andre
    Dianne Andre on September 22, 2023 at 8:23 pm

    It’s to bad high schools don’t teach baisc courses in money management and cost of living, etc.

    Reply
    • Deryn
      Deryn on September 22, 2023 at 9:24 pm

      That is very true, it should be part of the Curriculum

      Reply

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