#18 Is freedom a stat or skill?

http://www.owenfitzpatrick.com/meetowen/philosophy/philosophy.php#SlideFrame_1

This guy says "Personal Freedom is your own ability to take control over the way you think and feel and decide to become happier and more successful."

Surely it can't be that easy?

Mind over matter? What about all those external stimuli?

That financial crisis for instance. A whole bunch of people are pretty frazzled after the house of representitives shot down the savey deal. It's not quite the same as congress, but I'm a little fuzzy on that.

Still, the suggestion is that happiness and freedom are linked - not a bad idea. They might even be the same thing.

So maybe personal freedom as an ability relies on mental spam filters. If all the outside stuff bums you out, the only way you can get happy again is thinking your way there. Almost a bit like other skills and stats e.g. long distance running, stamina, patience, origami or dancing.