Freedom and Independence 🇺🇸

 

What does freedom mean? 

Growing up in the United States of America, I’ve experienced certain values, privileges, and opportunities that aren’t found in other countries. The foundation of this country is built upon one principle: freedom. But what does it mean to truly be free?

When I was moving out after graduating from college, I managed to pack my entire belongings into a compact sedan: all my furniture, school supplies, clothes, cameras, and other necessities. That was all that I needed at the time. It felt great to not have piles of stuff that to maintain and worry about. I felt so free.

After moving back home, I established myself with a stable job, a day to day routine, and lots of material belongings. I felt I could stay here and do this for the next 40 years until retirement. Everything seemed perfect.  

And then after a couple years, the future became uncertain. Unexpectedly family issues arose and politics at work raised a possibility of a move or relocation. What happens if I just suddenly lose what I had established for myself? I was even not remotely mentally and physically prepared for such a life changing event. My job, my friends, the place I grew up in, was all that I know. 

I then began to question myself would I be able to survive completely on my own? Can I establish myself somewhere brand new and make it? I have all these dependencies, commitments, obligations, and attachments I cannot immediately let go of. That led to me really think about what personal autonomy means and how to achieve it, and why it is a necessity.

What is it that I truly want? What will lead to the least amount of stress and easy adaptation to a changing world? Freedom. I want freedom.

When it comes to I want knowledge in my brain, not libraries of books, not to rely on Google. I want to build enough skillsets and obtain credentials and certifications to be able to find a decent job anywhere. I want to build value to where I can find work anywhere I go.

When it comes to owning stuff, I want to be able to fit everything I own into a vehicle and be mobile. If I need to leave, I can leave without worrying about anything left to maintain. I jokingly say sometimes that I cannot even own plants. 

When it comes to living life, I love being able to wake up and decide what to do today. I have absolutely zero obligations other than what I choose to do. I can schedule anything anytime. I am free for whoever wants to plan something with me without any advance notice. Want to go? We are there tomorrow.

We all have a tendency to seek stability and need some kind of stability in our lives but we also must be mobile. We must be willing to adapt and let go of everything if worst comes to worst.

I believe freedom and personal autonomy is a fundamental human right. It’s what allows us to accomplish great things. It’s what allows us to be creative and expressive. It’s what allows us to question the status quo. It’s what allows us to create change. It’s what allows us to become individuals. And it’s why governments and those in power want to suppress it completely. 

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I am free to go wherever I want, whenever I want.
I can survive on my own without any help.
I know how to care and fend for myself.
I rely on nobody else but myself.
I do not need to wait for anyone to do what I want to do.
I have no attachments.
I have no commitments.
I have no dependencies.
I have no obligations.
I can leave or detach from anything in my life at any time.
I own very little material items and can pack up everything I own in an hour.
I have multiple streams of income from different sources.
I saved up enough to make it temporarily without any income if needed.
I have credentials that can find myself a good job anywhere I go.
I can establish myself and start a new life anywhere I go with little to no resources.
I do not live in fear; fear of death, fear of the government, fear of fear.
I am free from surveillance: free from being tracked, recorded, and traced.
I am free to express my opinion.
I can question authority without being retaliated against.
I can quickly leave hostile or adverse situations or people that affect me negatively.
I can say no to anything or anyone.
I can say yes to anything or anyone.
I have the right to choose what’s best for me in all circumstances.

That’s true freedom and independence.

 

July 24, 2022 | I Love My Country