Freedom
We talk about freedom a lot in the US. You know what I mean, things like “We are free to do…†whatever the government doesn’t restrict. We also like to say, “Freedom is not free.†But what do we really mean?
I have discovered that no two people think of any particular abstract word, like freedom, the same way. I have met people that think that the government should restrict “unhealthy†food in order to prevent disease. I have met others that think that there is too much governmental involvement in their lives. I have met people that don’t think about it much.
Personally, freedom is a nice day, the open road, and two wheels. Yes, I know that I am in Iraq, and I don’t have access to any of them, but that is what I think of when I hear the word freedom. Let me explain, errrrrrrrr, clarify. You see I have been away from home for six months and change, now, and I have enough free time to sit back and think about things. When I think about things, I have a different perspective than most people do, and I think differently than most people do (just ask Phoenix and Gidget) so I reach different conclusions than most people do.
To me, freedom is not having to be somewhere at a certain time. Freedom is being able to do what I want. Freedom is the ability to choose without thought of consequences. Understand that I have no desire to go out and break laws, because that is an infringement on somebody else’s freedom, so that is a qualified “no thought of consequences.â€
In my case, freedom would be taking thirty days vacation and riding my motorcycle from wherever to wherever and seeing the sights. Freedom would be taking each intersection and choosing randomly where to go, knowing that life is a journey and the trip is more enjoyable than reaching the destination.
Maybe I am going a bit far afield, here, but freedom is vital to my individual growth, and I surmise most people’s individual growth, and I would love to enjoy it my way.
So, to me, freedom is no set destination, good weather and my motorcycle. I will leave you with a comment that I found online, “People don’t ride motorcycles because they have to.â€
What is freedom to you?
I could do a whole diatribe here, but I am not really sure I could narrow it down to just one thing. It is something I have not felt in so long that it means so many things. I have so many wants and desires that it stays muddled in my brain. I feel at times as though I am locked in a prison just waiting for the door to open… even now I can’t explain it.
I guess it is a deep down desire to just be free.
Yes, Carlo, you do think differently than most, and I’m really glad of it. Having different ways to look at one single thing or thought is an amazing gift. I’ve always wished that everyone would take a step back and really look at things before they react. See what’s happening from a different angle.
As for what freedom means to me. I would say on a personal level it means being able to enjoy the quiet of life. Take joy in all the little stepping stones that happen around me. Stop the rush, sit down and just smile and enjoy the sun shining, the rain pouring or the snow falling softly. Mostly it means to be able to be myself no matter what situation I’m in and not have to act a certain way that people expect me to be.
Wow… it sounds like we’re all sorta on the same wavelength here. Freedom to me is stepping outside and just standing there, rain pouring down from the heavens, and basking in it’s glory. Same goes for a beautiful sunny day. Riding northbound across the mountains and gazing at God’s glory. Being okay with how small I am in the scheme of things, and grateful to be able to comprehend that. Thankful to have a half full cup of livin’. Yeah, I embrace my freedom…