Definition of FREEDOM
1: the quality or state of being free:
a : the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action
b : liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another
Ahhhh, Happy Independence Day!
July 4th conjures up images of lessons learned in Miss Cramer’s Social Studies class of America’s Independence from Great Britain. As Americans we are privileged to have multiple freedoms in our lives; freedom of choice, freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of the press to name a few.
If you are a Citizen of the United States of America we are blessed to have our military fighting for our independence and if you are a believer, you are given freedom from your sins.
However, a recent exchange with a friend brought to mind a different type of freedom many individuals continue to lack in their daily existence- the freedom to be happy.
In fact, I have many friends who lack happiness as a result of being bogged down by chains of secrets, ‘old baggage’ that keeps them from encountering true contentment in their lives. They are in abusive relationships or harboring resentments toward individuals who has wronged them wrong in their past or embracing secrets that persist to burden, keeping them from total freedom in their lives.
Researchers say liberty equivocates to happiness so it is with this thought in mind that I ask-What chains continue to keep you from being free in your life? What freedoms are you still seeking?
"It's better to die fighting for freedom than to live life in chains."
27 comments:
what a great twist for this day...
Freedom isn't free. It requires constant vigilance and hard work.
We are presently in danger of losing our freedom.
Wonderfully written my friend, I couldn't have said it better. You know my chains, so don't rattle them please. :)
Happy 4th!
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
Thought-provoking post, Tracy. Happy 4th to you and your family. :)
Happy 4th of July to you. Be safe.
Hugs,
Penny
Have a great celebration and stay safe!
Ahhhh, yes, I totally agree with everything you said.
You did forget one freedom, though
We are free to make STUPID choices. It is these stupid choices that stack up the baggage in our life.
kt
I love the freedom that my country fought for. But you are right. There are other freedoms. I am striving to set myself free from the burdens of those that bring too much drama to my life. Easier said than done...
Have a wonderful Independence Day and may we all be thankful for the freedoms we have and discard the things that deprive us of living our total lives. Hugs.
Great post today, Tracy. I wrote a thought-provoking one also.
Amazing how many people just skip over what you say ---and just say to have a good day. (They do that on my blog also. People get in such a big hurry these days.)
My lack of freedom comes only from my choices. It is my inability to keep my weight under control... I've been 'in chains' for many years --allowing the weight to control me. One of these days, I'll learn how to do it!!!!!! ha
Hugs,
Betsy
Wonderfully said. Happy fourth!
Great post. Hope you have a wonderful day!
I also agree that it's a well written post with good thoughts for today--I think everyone has things that at one time or another define who we are and how we see ourselves and those things can really be hard to let go of...I do hope you're having a wonderful weekend!!!
I hope you are having a good and safe 4th.
I know the feeling of holding onto those thoughts being wronged by friends of even family. We choose what we are going to think about. Letting go of the hurt can be difficult but its not hurting the person that did you wrong, its only hurting ourselves. The first thing is to pray and forgive them in your heart then move on to thinking good positive thoughts. If those negative thougths start to move in, move them out of your mind quickly. ITs great, WE HAVE A CHOICE~
Have a super day and hope you are staying cool.
I think for a lot of our baggage, if we would just learn to forgive, we would be free.
Great post.
Enjoy your 4th and your freedoms.
What a truly thoughtful post! Sometimes the chains that need to be broken are invisible and only finding one's strength can break these.
Happy Fourth of July!!! Take care
x
Yes chains can be from the past. I hope we all can get freedom now. This 4th is a great time to become free!
Great post!!!
Thanks for sharing and i hope you had a great 4th of July weekend!
Leontien
I hope you had a wonderful weekend Tracy!
xo Catherine
Your post rings so true to me especially today. I've always told the sons that they control their own destanty but I see outside forces controlling mine. I need to learn to say no but I'm so worry about other people's feelings instead of mine that I end up doing things that I don't want to do.
I know my problem, I just have to learn to correct it.
Easier said than done.....
Happy 4th to you, too!!
Wow -- what a great think piece, Tracy. You are such a talented writer. :)
I hope you had a wonderful 4th! This is such a thought-provoking post, dear Tracy. You are very wise.
I know that you are looking forward to Saturday and I hope that it comes quickly for you:)
Hugs and love,
Deb
Nothing like the freedom we have in this country.
Over all I feel pretty durn free so I'm not complaining.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Great post.
Lovely post! Hope you are having a great week.
Rita
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