Freedumb is free. Always has been, always will be. There’s evidence of it everywhere. There’s some in all of us. Not necessarily by choice, but by default - consisting of what we've been exposed to, what we've accepted as true and what we've been, both, willing and able to learn on our own.
In its literal sense, freedom is probably best described as a state of mind. Or, maybe easier to understand, it can reference a small town just south of Santa Cruz, California. Traveling northbound on Highway 1 a few miles before Santa Cruz, California, you come across a sign that reads ‘Freedom, next exit’. The city of Freedom. Ironically, the exit is several miles from the sign - and when you get to the exit there’s a street name (can’t recall what it is), but no mention of the city of Freedom on the actual exit. It can be elusive in any sense.
As individuals, we are free to think and act, within reason and the law, pretty much however we wish - typically as long as it doesn’t hurt anybody else. More often than not, how we think and act is based on our own life experiences - reminiscent of the ever true and literal expression, “We are what we eat” - Well, “We are what we’ve learned, or what we have been exposed to” as well. Most of the information we’ve been exposed to in our lives has been limited by the capacity of those doing the sharing. As an example, a teacher is limited to teaching what they’ve been assigned to teach, not what they know - even if what they know is more factually accurate. A parent is limited based on their own exposure to information, willingness to accept information, and their willingness to share what they’ve learned. Another key is how attached we are to the information that’s been shared with us. The longer we hold on to information, regardless whether it accurate or not, the more attached we become to it and the more likely we are to defend it - even without supporting factual information. It becomes a part of who we are, a core belief - one of our truths. Modifying those truths can be life changing - and for some, nearly impossible.
Step outside yourself. Be uncomfortable. Seek growth. Understand that personal values are just that, personal values. Everyone’s life experience is different. Understand that you don’t have to understand. Subconsciously our instinct is to judge. We’ve been conditioned that way, whether good or bad, with everything from school grades to biblical promises. Relearn. Live what you want to see. Lead with kindness even when it’s difficult. Ask the tough questions from the heart.
FREEDUMBISFREE
Read. Educate. Ask. Discover.
