What Freedom Means to Me

What does freedom mean to you?

I didn’t imagine that a virus and a shooting could teach me so much about freedom in just four months. Even without the parade, the family party, and the fireworks, it will be one of my most memorable 4th of July holidays because it’s made me examine my beliefs about freedom in America and the intersection of my freedom with that of others. 

Two experiences shaped my appreciation of our American freedoms. When I served a mission in France for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was surprised when we had to “register” at the town hall each time we moved from one city to another. We were also required to carry with us our passports at all times so that when stopped by authorities we could prove we had permission to be in the city. This questioning occurred quite often and was always very frightening.

The other was when I traveled to Beijing, China and was told that I could not take religious books into the country with me. Reinforcing this law was an airport filled with guards carrying very big rifles. Sunday church service was strictly limited to expatriates meeting in an office building. 

Deep appreciation for the freedom to travel, practice my religious beliefs, and read whatever I choose has not diminished over the years since these events. I also appreciate  the very freedom of writing these words, expressing my ideas and opinions, and publishing them in pubic.

What must be included, however, in our discussion of freedom is the responsibility and accountability that accompanies our choices. Ezra Taft Benson, a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Secretary of Agriculture to President Eisenhower said, “You are free to choose, but you are not free to alter the consequences of your decisions.”  This truth is so visible today.

Freedom isn’t free. It comes with accepting that our actions and words do have an effect on ourselves and others in our community. If I drink and drive, I may hurt myself and others. If I smoke in front of others, I may hurt myself and others. If I don’t wear a mask, I may hurt myself and others. If I blog my opinion, then I have to accept that some will agree, and others will disagree. Exercising maturity with our freedom is acknowledging our choice and then owning the subsequent consequence. Immaturity is wanting the choice but blaming others for any consequence.

When raising children, the key role of parents is to help them consider consequences of their choices. If they spend all of their money on candy, they won’t have any left over for a toy. Not graduating from high school can result in a lifetime of lower paying jobs. Drugs and alcohol interfere with the ability to function at home and work. Hopefully, over time and with lots of experience, our children learn that true freedom is being able to weigh out choices and accept the consequences, good, bad and ugly, of any decision they make. 

If a public person takes responsibility for their actions today, it is actually shocking. Rarely, do we hear, “I made this decision. I was wrong. I’m sorry. I’ve learned from my mistake and won’t do it again.” Much more rampant are the phrases of blame: “It’s his/her fault.” “They made me do it.” “I didn’t know.” “You can’t stop me.”  “I was just joking.” “It’s how we’ve always done it.”

Living in a victim/blame mode is so much easier than being accountable. Taking credit for when things go well and blaming others for when things go poorly – these are the victim payoffs. But the price of living in a victim mode is eventually losing personal control, growth, and ultimately-freedom. 

This holiday weekend when you see our flag, ask yourself, “What does freedom mean to me?” This year, like no other, we have time to examine our beliefs about the privilege we have of both choice and responsibility of consequence.