Thinking Out Loud
Freedom's Just Another Word...Or Is It?

July 1, 2012
By: Diane Szczepanski

"Freedom is not the right to do as you please, but the liberty to do as you ought" ~ Anonymous

A wise friend of mine who has traveled and lived in many different places on this planet, said this to me shortly after we met, "I'm glad to be home now."

When I asked, "Why?", he looked at me with a touch of surprise and replied, "Because, the United States is the greatest country on Earth!".

As we head into this summer week of Fourth of July festivals that will be taking place across our great nation, and the undoubted celebrations of our Independence Day that will be going on, his words ring in my head.

I begin to think about the freedoms I enjoy in this country.

Oh sure, I could use this week and this opportunity, to nitpick and stand on my soapbox disparaging how many of our freedoms have been taken away, (under the guise of protecting us from ourselves), because I do have few beefs on that subject.

However, this week I choose to appreciate and revel in, the freedoms I DO have.

I have the freedom to write this, right here and now, that I don't think United States IS perfect in every way. These words will get published and everyone in the US has the right and freedom to read it.

I have the enjoyment of living in a state of general overall security in my day to day life, and the freedom to move about as I wish. With the thanks going to those brave souls who are, and always have been, guarding us so that we may live this way.

I live in a country that allows me the freedom to walk into any grocery store I wish and have the option to purchase an abundance of food, with an amazing, relatively fair-priced variety to choose from, to feed my family.

My son has never gone hungry. I have never had to wait in a food line for overpriced, rationed staples, just to survive.

I have been given the opportunity to choose what I want to do in life and in my profession, how many children I want to have, where I want to live and the friends I will keep.

I have unending opportunities and nearly unlimited ways to express my full personality. Through the words I write, the art I view, the music I listen to and the community things I choose to get involved in, just to name a few.

The United States is my oyster.

I have traversed thousands of miles in this country in my lifetime, crossing from state to state, without hesitation, explanation or even a moments regard of my safety for doing so.

All without being stopped and having to carry papers to prove that I can.

I can say freely and without fear of retribution, that in my experience, I think the Ohio speed limit laws stink and their police force is a little over-diligent on enforcing them.

I also, fortunately and all joking aside, have the freedom to say the above statement without worrying government officials may come knocking at my door and take me to task for doing so.

Freedom.

A small word with enormous ramifications should it be taken away.

This week in particular, go ahead, celebrate! Enjoy our independence and freedom. Keep the intent of the words sacred and guard them as you would anything else you hold precious and dear.

Embrace the day with family, picnics, fireworks and the things we so love about this Fourth of July holiday. It is not only our pleasure, but our duty to give a nod this week to liberty and to all the things that make our country so wonderful.

As my friend said, "The United States is the greatest country on Earth."

Amen to that, my friend, Amen.