Sheri Wren Haymore
Author
Freedom. Independence. Liberty. Patriotism. Fireworks. Picnics. All these things run together in our collective American minds come July. We wouldn’t want it any other way, would we?
Freedom is such a broad concept that its meaning can be elusive. We treasure our freedom, but what exactly is it? To find out, I turned to our readers and asked, “What does freedom mean to you?” Here’s what you had to say.
“Freedom requires sacrifice, but it is a gift of grace (undeserved and unearned),” said Shelley.
Jan offered, “When I think of freedom, I think of having the opportunity to make choices that will enhance my life and the lives of others without undo harm.”
Along the same line of thought, Gay said, “Freedom is being allowed to make decisions for yourself, whether good or bad, instead of others making decisions for you.”
Meg replied, “Freedom is an act of love. It has no fear. It is a blind step into the unknown, whether it is a new job, a new spouse, a new city. Freedom empowers us to take the unknown and stamp it down to see [everyday simplicity].”
Lynn had this to say: “Freedom, to me, is not just about being able to do whatever I want, but it’s about feeling inner peace and contentment. It’s about having the ability to find joy and happiness in the simple things in life. It’s about feeling grounded and centered, no matter what life throws my way.”
For me, the author, freedom is home. It’s being with people—whether friends or family—who know me, and get me, and who hear me without judgment.
An anonymous Army veteran wrote, “Freedom is a gift from previous generations that must be nurtured and defended. We must never forget those who have answered the call to serve our country, past or present. All have put aside personal wants and needs for something greater.” He quipped, “Just because you can do something doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. I wish politicians knew that.”
Jimese wrote, “Freedom means having the reality of choice, the resources, accessibility, the mobility and good health, the time and space to be, do and to have what one wants and desires. That’s ‘practical’ freedom to me.”
From Kathy: “Visiting Uganda. Despite overwhelming poverty, the people would dance for hours, and the strain of life would fade. You could see freedom on their faces as they looked at the sky with joy and abandonment.”
“We can sleep at night without fear of planes dropping bombs,” noted Pam.
“It’s complicated!” declared Judy. “I think that on a personal level I’ve always operated under the assumption that I’m indeed free because I’m privileged to live in a society that values and upholds personal freedom and choice. That, of course, has reasonable limits including abiding by the laws of the land, respecting the diversity of my fellow man and realizing that my freedom of choice should not infringe on the choices of others. The overturn of Roe v. Wade is the first time I can recall feeling that individual freedom (choice) is being diminished in America.”
Gray offered, “You don’t know what we have here until you go [to another country] where they don’t have freedom.”
Teresa: “I think there is worldly freedom and spiritual freedom. Worldly freedom—freedom to choose religion, politics, careers, etc. and freedom in pursuing what we want, all within boundaries set by laws and rules. Spiritual freedom came with Jesus’ sacrifice which allows the Spirit of God to live within us. This allows us the freedom to live joyfully no matter what, to live with gratitude and hope, and to pursue our purpose.”
“What comes to mind when I hear freedom,” said Carrie, “is freedom of choice, freedom to be able to navigate life in a way that is aligned with one’s personal values, joys, and meaningful motivations. The contrast to freedom would be feeling or being boxed in by artificial rules or expectations.”
And finally, Darrell: “Freedom means getting to choose how, where, and with whom I do life. Mostly, being free is to have my own say and choice, and the biggest choice is who to share that choice with, and that’s the best freedom.”
As I follow-up prompt, I asked, “Describe a time when you felt completely free.” This seemed to be a tough question for some; here are a few answers:
Shelley said, “I don’t know that I can answer that question. I know in my mind what I can picture, but I haven’t experienced it.” When prodded to describe what she pictures, she shared, “Weightless, no barrier—endless, peaceful, beautiful, awe, flowers, stars, sweet aroma.” Personally, I believe Shelley has described Heaven, don’t you?
“I don’t know that I’ve ever felt completely free,” said Gay. “There’s always a higher authority to answer to.”
“I feel peace and freedom anytime I’m near the calming ocean or in the majestic mountains,” said Pam.
Rita: “First thought that came to my mind…around nine or ten years of age. Climbing up the metal clothesline pole and perching on the T-shaped top, singing to my heart’s content!”
David remembered lying down near honeysuckle as a kid and gazing up at the stars.
Anonymous: “The day I signed my divorce papers it felt as if a boulder rolled off my shoulders.”
“I really had to think about this,” said Teresa. “My personal experience of freedom is when it’s just me and God, disconnected from the world. [There I find] freedom to just be ME, free to share my innermost thoughts, fears, desires, praises, requests, sadness, and even anger and disappointments.”
“I have felt free when ‘practical’ freedom was seemingly absent when I’ve been keenly tuned in to awareness and frequency of my purest energetic, soulful, spiritual self, connected to an eternally unbound life source,” wrote Jimese.
Darrell: “I felt freedom when I got my own car and could choose the speed and the tunes.” He also mentioned finding freedom from the endless news cycle by spending time in nature. He added, “When I left a career to do something meaningful, it freed me from the things I didn’t like about the former work.”
“My experience of feeling completely free typically happens in nature,” responded Carrie. “I’m thinking specifically of mountaintops—just the vastness and spaciousness and a sense of Wow! And awe and appreciation and feeling connected with that which is bigger than us.”
Jan offered: “I felt completely free for the first time in my entire life within this past year when suddenly one day I recognized I was at peace with loving the person I have become, without feeling I needed to be more.”
“Freedom is lying on your back in the clear blue water, with nothing but the sound of the water, and looking up into the vastness of the blue sky,” said Meg.
“Retirement,” said Judy, “footloose and fancy free. Retirement rewards us with time to joyfully reminisce and relish life’s journey thus far and then … plan the next adventure!”
Nature, childhood, laughter, music, wellness, silliness with friends—all these concepts came up at the mention of freedom. By no means can this small sampling give us a comprehensive definition. This month, as we celebrate the American experience of freedom, ask the people you meet for their description of freedom. You may be surprised by the variety of responses.
