What Are Your Thoughts About Freedom?

In the U.S., our day to celebrate freedom, July 4, has passed. Yet my thoughts continue to dwell on the holiday's meaning. When we lived in Kodiak, we created a sign that hung above a living room door. From Ralph Waldo Emerson, it said: "If you cannot be free, be as free as you can."

Think about the concept of freedom. It is not something that we are given. In this country, it becomes our choice, and we can be as free as we wish.

No matter what our circumstances, we must always remember that nothing can deny us the freedom of our own mind. There is no charge for our thoughts, no one can take them from us, and no one can force us to think in a certain way.

When we embrace freedom, know that the true understanding of this precious state tells us that we now have the most important thing in the world even though we don't own it. Believe in the value of living in a way that shares freedom with those around us.

The great concepts of the world are simple, and can often be expressed in a single word. Freedom is one such word. You can surely think of other powerful concepts expressed with one word, such as justice, mercy, or hope. Though simple, they become complex when we realize their infinite importance.

Never take for granted this wonderful gift. Do not think of it as a right, though it is one that should be extended to every human being. Instead, consider your freedom as a vehicle that will allow you to do the right thing.

Use your freedom to make the world a better place. Embrace the belief that to become truly patriotic, you must believe that freedom gives dignity to the individual, and thus has importance for all people.