Your dream wasn’t to travel the world,

What does "freedom" mean to you?

Many people say that freedom means the ability to make choices:
what to do, what not to do.

Like what?

"Like when taking my family on vacation, I can book 5-star hotels and business class flights."

"Like when I don't like my job, I get to just quit."

"Like I can travel the world, go anywhere, anytime."

You can't do that today?

"No, I don't have enough money."

We can't afford freedom.

"Afford" is an interesting word

Think about something you can afford. Or something you can't.

How did you calculate its affordability? Based on the price tag? The number in your bank account? On your paycheck?

Or, really, on the consequences of owning it?

The word "afford" is always used with "can", in a potential state,
never with "will", in a commitment.

"Will you afford it?"

Nobody asks this question because, literally, it doesn't make sense.
You ask these instead:

Will you buy it?
Will you do it?
Will you get it?

But in reality, these questions barely get asked, if the "can I afford it?" question yields a negative answer.

I can't afford it, so I won't. Affordability becomes a roadblock to our willingness.

Now let me ask you again:

How do you calculate affordability?

I hope this time, your willingness is in your formula.

Will you afford freedom?

Is freedom expensive? It is.

Freedom costs a fortune.

But to me, the real price of freedom, is to say "I will", even when it costs a fortune.

Even when it means I will lose money,
Even when it means I will let people down,
Even when it means I will hurt someone who loves me.

I probably can't afford it.
But I will.

Will you?