Even though it has only been a week, I am already experiencing a kind of personal Renaissance - a rebirth of a type of physical freedom that I have not experienced since I was a much younger man - with a key difference. When I was that young man, I certainly had the time but not the $ to fully explore all of my passions. I must admit though, even with the challenges, it was a helleva' ride! But, now, hopefully, I'll have just enough of both. The prospect is certainly appealing - so far.
One of the more positive aspects of all of that new-found freedom is the time to think. And, if I am so inclined, to write about it.
With that in mind (nod, nod, wink, wink), I've been thinking about what it really means and, in particular, if there is such a thing as too much freedom.
First, let's talk about the personal kind.
I'm a child of the 60's and 70's so I had a goodly amount of exposure to the bohemian/counter culture lifestyle that largely defined that era. However, even though I related to much of that way of life, I don't think I was every fully immersed in it. I was sort of hippie light; I wore my hair long, bell bottom jeans, and flower print shirts but I also played football and actually enjoyed most of school. So, I kind of had a foot in both worlds - a balance, if you will.
This, I believe, is where my concept of personal freedom and whether there can too much of it comes in.
In so many ways, I was a wild man in thought and deed. I constantly pushed the envelope, both physically and spiritually. In a sense, certainly physically, I was at the height of my powers. I was a weightlifting - football playin', shaman! So, there were few things I wouldn't do on a dare - especially if I felt it would bring any type of growth/learning experience.
However, the key word here is FEW.
Yes, I read Huxley, and Kerouac. Listened to Dylan and The Doors. I so desperately wanted to break on through to the other side. But, I did have my limits. There were certain lines I was just not willing to cross. Perhaps it was the strong ethic instilled in me by my parents to know right from wrong, as I had the good sense and moral compass to see them, and, therefore, never do anything that would compromise respect for myself and my family. It has always given me a healthy dose of responsibility to go with my elixir of intoxicating freedom.
In societal terms, that is know as having morals and scruples (more on that shortly).
But, that, at least for me, begs the question: whos' morals and whos' scruples judge what is personally right and wrong? Who, indeed, are the progenitors of these beliefs? And, furthermore, when it comes to personal decisions, why should I listen to anyone else anyway?
Who judges the judges?
Well, I can't answer for others but personally I like to think that I am as free as I want to be. I live an open, honest life that allows me to be comfortable in my own skin. Certainly, I have made mistakes in my life - huge ones! But, they've all (most?) been made in good faith and I have always made an effort to do no harm in the end. Still, I will continue to attempt to push the envelope to open new avenues of thought and deed - to be free from the bonds created by jealousy, close-mindedness, and fear, particularly of things that I don't understand - yet.
Now, there are times when personal freedom comes in direct conflict with those associated with the societies in which we live.
As Americans, we are especially proud of the personal freedoms of which our very Constitution guarantees. However, we continually confuse these principals with others that are imposed on us by those who believe they have a moral authority to judge what is acceptable and what is not. This conflict has raged since the inception of this Country and continues to this very day. The fact that we are still fighting the battle for Civil Rights, particularly as it pertains to those in the LGBTQ community is evidence.
Well, who are these moral authorities and what/who has given them the power to judge how ANY individual should live their lives as they see fit? They ineffectively argue that individuals from those communities adversely affect the very moral fabric of our society.
Now, this is not to say there is NO line to be drawn in the sand when it comes to some type of societal moral code. A society without some sense of morality brings anarchy and chaos. This is obvious - rape, molestation, murder, etc. will NEVER be morally acceptable.
And, as with our personal freedoms we must take ultimate responsibility for our actions. What we want/need for ourselves cannot take precedence over the greater good. The current anti-vaccine movement is a prime example of what can be certainly seen as selfish behavior. Your personal freedom does not trump the safety of millions of others.
I believe the key is here is to differentiate between the freedom to express one's self in a highly personal manner (i.e. the LGBTQ community) that need not affect ANYONE else and those that do (i.e. anti-vaxers). Remember, we have a responsibility to ourselves AND others.
Balance is the key.
It's really not that hard.
The choice is ours . . .
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