On Freedom

Freedom is something we hear a lot about, isn't it?

'Freedom of speech'. 'Freedom of press'. 'Fighting for freedom'. 'Granting their freedom'. 'It's a free country'. 'I'm free to' The list could go on for pages.
Perhaps the final epitath of the word lies in the phrase 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; among these Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness'.

But what does it mean? What is the self-evident truth in the word 'Liberty'? What is true freedom?

Most people wpould say some thing like: 'Being free to do whatever you want.' We'll ignore their fallacy of logic (using a term to define itself) and say we ask them what they mean by 'free'. To get around the esoteric definition, their answer would most likely be revised to something along the lines of 'Being able (or allowed) to do whatever you want.'
There is of course, a difference between allowed and able, but for now it can boil down to the same thing: Uninhibited ability to do whatsoever one sees fit.

Is that freedom?
I don't think so, and here's why:

Say you live in a place where there are no rules; you can do whatever, whenever. Total 'freedom' as most people would call it. Sort of like Amsterdam on a weekend-zero laws keeping you from doing exactly what you want.
So you do.
Guess what happens? Before you know it, you aren't free anymore.

We'll take smoking as an example. This could apply to any number of things, from sex to drugs to alcohol to your job-anything that holds a powerful spot in your life. You see, you start in control-you are free. You have a cigarette. You choose to smoke it.
It was fun. You buy another pack. No problem, you're totally free.

But what happens when you're a few months down the road? Who is in control?

Let me tell you: It isn't you anymore.
Whatever that thing you were 'free' to do is. You've not only become restricted, you've become enslaved to it-your life is as far from free as it could possibly be!

So when the total absence of rules leads to the sex, the drugs, the workaholism, the alcohol, the car, the casino, whatever it is...the absence of rules actualy becomes an inhibitor of freedom. It cannot both be its own progenitor and anathema!

So then freedom....must not be the absence of rules, but rather knowing what your boundaries are, and operating within them-where you are uninhibited by ANYTHING, simply because you understand that staying within these guidelines will keep you free, even if they seem to hold you back.

Freedom, therefore, is knowing the boundaries that have been set for Life, and living within them in pursuit of what is Good.

What is good? We'll go there later.