Let Freedom Ring
As the fourth of July neared this year I found myself thinking about freedom a lot. I have an increased appreciation for freedom. The neighbor boy who used to mow my lawn graduated from high school and joined the Army last summer. This spring he went to Afghanistan where he’s been interacting with insurgents and hunting for IEDs. One day in May some insurgents blew up his Humvee. Luckily he and his co-workers were walking about looking for IEDs at the time. Still it seems wrong for a sweet hard working 18 year old to be worrying about his ride being blown up in a 3rd world country.
In his almost 19 years on the planet, he has done far more than I have to defend our freedoms. Which has gotten me thinking about whether or not I’m even fully utilizing those expensive and hard-earned freedoms. Sadly, I think I’m not, but I’ve resolved to do better.
For myself, I think I conform to irrelevant and sometimes even meaningless rules, social norms, and preconceived notions. I’ve done this thoughtlessly, simply following the expected path and/or the path of least resistance. I think I’ve also conformed out of fear sometimes. It can be hard to stick out in the crowd. But no more!
Don’t get me wrong, some rules, norms and notions are necesssary for a safe and harmonious society. I have no intention of becoming rude. You’ll also notice I’ve not listed laws in my litany of little ways I unconsciously but willingly give up freedom. Laws I won’t disobey.
So what does this look like in practical terms? I’m more conscious when I’m making decisions now about why I’m making that particular decision. From the big stuff. Such as why don’t I think I can or should take on that project – is it for real reasons or stuffy conventional reasons. To the little stuff. Am I wearing that clothing because it’s comfortable and I’ll think well in it or because it’s what I think I’m expected to wear? Is that really the expectation? The point is that I think about it now. I’m thinking about all these decisions more now. Or rather I’m thinking about what factors should contribute to my thinking about all these decisions now. It’s shockingly enlightening. Give it a try and you’ll see what I mean.
