For my American readers, Happy Independence Day! I have a different feeling about this year than in previous years, founded entirely on recent worldwide and national events these last few years. I don’t feel complacently free anymore, but rather that with freedom (in every form) comes responsibility.
This is a day I grew up celebrating with family gatherings, BBQs, hand-cranked ice-cream, fireworks, backyard sparklers, homemade strawberry shortcake, and trying to find something cute to wear that was red, white, and blue. Some years we’d go to Greenfield Village to watch the war reenactment, but otherwise I don’t recall talking much about the history other than it being “the day we won our independence.” It felt safe, fun, given, solid, and guaranteed for life.
These last few years have shown us an incredible shift in worldwide and national upheaval, major disturbances in that feeling of guaranteed for life security. Things aren’t as they have been, and won’t be in the future. Nothing is guaranteed and nothing is permanent.
My old sentiment of complacency is replaced with a strong feeling of responsibility. Freedom may indicate freedom from things, but it also nudges me towards a freedom to take responsibility for other things.
My Freedoms and Responsibilities
I have the freedom to write, and I feel that given my unique story it is my responsibility to share it. Each day I am greeted by a blank screen and complete freedom to fill it with whatever I want. I choose to add value with my words, hoping to reach out and connect with others.
I have the freedom to think and consider, then reconsider, even change my mind. With this comes the responsibility to say so. The responsibility to reconnect with people and mend relationships, to bridge old gaps, and to create new connections. To humbly and vulnerably represent myself as human and in doing so lead others to do the same.
I have the freedom to view the world through different lenses, making the most of everything I see. The freedom to view obstacles as the path, and the responsibility to lead others towards seeing their worlds through their own unique lenses of opportunity.
Do It Differently Today
It is easy to sit back, down some hot dogs and beer and be proudly “free” today, but what can you now do with that freedom to contribute? What responsibilities can you rise up to accept and act upon? It doesn’t need to be a grand or even political gesture – look at mine I shared above.
With freedom comes responsibility. What are you driven towards that you will accept? Be all in with it.
The time has come to accept in our hearts and minds that with freedom comes responsibility.
– Nelson Mandela
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Bravo Carey. Well said. It is time to realize that this gift of freedom is a responsibility and for those of us lucky to have it we should understand that it can go away. I think of all the men, women, and families that have given their lives so we can have this amazing country of opportunity. It’s important to make sure we always have it.