What Does Freedom mean to you?
When I was a child, freedom meant staying up later on the weekends when I didn’t have school. Being out with my friends riding bikes. Picking the routes we wanted to ride, instead of someone else. Going to my friend’s house and raiding their refrigerator that was packed with more junk than mine.
In high school freedom meant choosing the classes I wanted to instead of having it the other way around. Bringing out of my own soul my thoughts on independence. Beginning to show other humans what I was designed for. Being able to pick and choose which boys I wanted to choose as a boyfriend. Making choices about friendships I wanted to have.
When I was given the keys to my own car, I had the freedom to make good choices and keep the privileges of driving or making bad choices and paying the price. I could choose to stay up past my bedtime and do bad in class or go to bed on time and give the classes all I had.
As a young adult, I had the choice to have children or not. To marry or stay single. For most of us, we could decide whether we wanted to make our first time having sex our choice.
Now that I am middle-aged, my choices seem to be taken a way from me. Or is it that I am more mature and see more of what the world is today. I still have the choice to speak my mind, but do I really? Could what I say end up on a public forum such as Facebook and be banned?
I still have the choice to vote equally as a man. Is my vote sacred and safe? I don’t know the answer to that. I hear so much in the media about tampering that I suspect the only truth I will ever know is buried deep in my heart.
I still have the choice to be healthy or unhealthy. Do I really? When is the last time you went to the grocery store and tried to buy all organic or healthy foods? Did you notice the hole in your pocket when you went to pay for them? Have you noticed that foods that are good for you are considered premium prices? It is much cheaper to eat junk food, but harder on the heart.
We still have the choice and freedom to pick our doctors, hospitals and insurances. But, do we really? Can you see it ending as others voices ring louder than our own? Will there come a time that we actually have to give up our insurance because of the premiums or pre-existing conditions?
I do still have freedoms that can not be taken away. They are my choices to make. I can breathe. I can pray. I can look at each day as a new day with the right attitude. I am free in this land. Free to be myself. It is only from our soul that the corners are being pried off little by little, like taking a band-aid off very slowly so it doesn’t hurt so bad.
We are guaranteed some rights to live on this earth. I only hope that all countries work together to keep our freedoms alive. That peace is among each of our neighbors. We are truly blessed when we look deep down into the ground. You see some dirt covering the seeds, but life is beneath it, growing and strong. Ready to unite together to help us to remain free.
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Wow, such wonderful thought provoking words. 🙂
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I am happy that you enjoyed reading it Sarah
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Unfortunately, I must agree with you. I believe that we are no longer a “free country”…as we used to say when we were younger.
I see it as the frog in boiling water syndrome. We have been eased into adjusting to the ways and prohibitions of the land. If we were abruptly dropped into today (into boiling water) from say, even just 50 years ago, we would jump right back out, knowing something was wrong. But instead, the gradual rise of the temperature has left us unaware of our impending doom.
Thanks for your insightful and touching contribution. ♥
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This was a difficult piece to write as each of us has our own views on freedom. Thank you for reading and leaving me a nice comment Kellie. Have a great weekend!
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Freedom I all have – inside us – we have a free mind – a free heart and a free soul and it’s only we that can decide what we want to do with that freedom. I still that I live in a free country – but my country maybe isn’t in a totally free world. Even in countries that aren’t free – people use their free spirit and heart. It’s all up us what freedom is all about. Excellent post.
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you think like i do! great minds we have! nice chatting with you Viveka. How is your mum?
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Thanks, she are doing well and sleeping. Infections gone – and outside snow storm.
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oh now snow!! we are to have ice and rain Sunday Glad she is doing better……….
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I want snow … in the winter – and sun in the summer. Hate that rain – nearly every day since boxing day.
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rain is so dismal. with snow at least there is brightness all around
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I think in life we do so much to please other people, that we forget to please ourselves. 🙂
I would love to feel free! Super hugs dear, Terry! ……..Paula xx
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I hope that when I die I was helping someone out here in the world
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Thanks for your thoughtful insights and the read, Terry… Always interesting to hear your voice.
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good evening Sean. nice to see you tonight. That was a nice comment you left me, thank you so much!
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Well said!
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thank you Julie. How is Ants?
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Interesting take on the prompt, very thought provoking! Unfortunately, I agree with you on many counts. I do, however, feel blessed with the freedoms I have compared to others.
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I am with you there Rachael. WE have many blessings and freedoms every day that we do not even think upon
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Fantastic Post Terry, I love the freedon I have now, and enjoy it.
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wonderful. I am so glad I could share with you!
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