Bobby defines freedom as having the canvas to paint however he wants after a call—but Joe points out that every day of his life has had that canvas. Even when working full-time, Bobby could always choose. He just didn’t feel like he could. And freedom will always have consequences—getting fired, losing money, disappointing people. If freedom requires the absence of consequences, it can never exist.
The idea of freedom that Bobby has been chasing is itself another hurdle he’s created. He’s turned freedom into a destination that must be reached, rather than recognizing it as something that’s already present. The pursuit of freedom becomes unfreedom.
“The idea of freedom that you’ve been living with is yet another hurdle that you’ve given to yourself that you have to jump.”
Nobody gets to feel great all the time. Good feelings will be taken away, like finishing an ice cream cone. But you’re not scared of ice cream. The transience of a good feeling is what makes it sweet—a great meal eaten 24 hours a day would cease to be great.