October 25, 2013

  • Freedom

    "Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose..." Janis Joplin

    What do you think it means to be truly free?

    Do we really live in a free society? Is this indeed the free world?

    Do you believe that you can ever be totally free?

Comments (20)

  • According to Dostoevsky, one is free only when he has no fear of death.

  • Your comments feel like a shingled roof where they started at the top and worked down. I'm wondering if it will shed water.
    Seriously, no one on the old Xanga had, or would have accepted, this bug. I'm assuming you can't fix it. A shame, especially now that even Xanga ain't free. Oh well, at least it's got 'nothing much to lose.

  • ---" To fly to a secret place in the sky
    causing a hundred gossamer shrouds
    to fall each moment
    trying to let go of life----
    Finally taking a step without feet
    This is freedom. This is indeed love".

    I wanted to stop with 'freedom' but the editor thought the other line would suit the poem better.

    From my book, a poem titled "Mystic Night".

    My personal freedom comes from within my heart. Unfortunately I have a hundred chains around it most of the time.

  • I agree with Frank and Carolyn.

  • Freedom is growing by the year. Says Bill Maher. At this rate gay married men will soon be able to share a joint in their home. They will be able to smoke pot too!

  • You notice I did not try to give a serious answer to your question. That is because it was not a serious question.

  • We no longer have freedom in the US...it seems like are every move is watched and what we say is easily censored...it has become a source of sadness for sure

  • would you want to be..?

  • I've been thinking about this post today...see what you did!!! You got ME thinking!!! ;-) (HA, Not always a good idea!:-P)

    I've been thinking about those people who are trapped or held "hostage" in some way...people who are abused, held as slaves of some sort, kidnapped, prisoners of war, etc. While they can have true freedom from within...that doesn't mean we shouldn't stand up and help them to find physical freedom.

    Okay. I'm going to bed now!
    :-)
    Thanks for this great post!
    HUGS!!! :-)

  • true freedom is never having to wear underwear

  • I agree with Carolyn. Freedom originates inside of us. Some fight for various kinds of freedom, and many are worthwhile.

  • Harsh-- that's pretty much what came to mind upon reading your very comment on this post.

    Adamswomanback pretty much summed it all nicely and eloquently but to look at it in a very pessimistic manner, I do agree with that saying you shared.

    There's no actual freedom, it seems, that's truly ultimate and lasting. But to be surrounded with the right people; enjoy their company, one might feel wonderfully free, regardless of other circumstances and things going on in life ( such as not having the kind of financial freedom one might desire, etc.)

    But back to that quote you shared, a different interpretation might be that when a person has found their purpose in life, they no longer care about anything else, which in turn might give a sense of freedom.

    Thank you for sharing such a thought-provoking post!

  • I would say what I think about freedom (or lack of) in the US these days but I'm afraid the NSA will be watching.

  • I don't know if I agree with Janis' (well, really it was Kris Kristoferson who wrote the song, wasn't it? ;) ) idea. I mean, I guess if you have nothing to lose, you're free of a lot of troubles, a lot of things holding you down.

    Can we be truly free? Do we WANT to be truly free? There's some freedom in having others make decisions for us, isn't there? Deep thoughts.

  • My mind to me a kingdom is
    What perfect joy therein I find
    As far exceeds all earthly bliss
    That God or nature hath assigned...
    by Wm Byrd
    It goes on and it seems true to me - I am free to think what I may and in that freedom dream of what could and also what could not be. Society, Governments, Religions, Civilization and Customs all create boundaries necessary for the function of living without annihilating each other. In my mind I make the boundaries... IMHO

  • Hmmm. Let me get back to you on this! :)

  • I think freedom comes from within us. People believe they can find freedom in many ways or in one of many ideologies. I happen to have found my way to freedom through the teachings and example of Jesus.

    I think we have to find the joy, peace, acceptance, (etc) from within. What I mean by this is that outer things: possessions, money, and people cannot give us freedom or make us feel free...cannot give us joy, peace, etc.

    I think a person can be in jail or a hostage or "trapped" in a body that is not healthy (etc) and still be free/feel free.

    I don't think we live in a free society or world. We never have. I think there are always those who want to control (not lead) and so we can find ourselves "bound" by another person or group of people.

    As I have learned to accept myself as is, find the joy in each day, express an attitude of gratitude each day, help others each day...I have found freedom. I am free.

    I have more to say, but I think I've done enough thinking for today! ;-) :-D
    My pea-brain hurts! ;-) :-P

    GREAT post!!!
    HUGS!!! :-)

  • ...and thanks ,John , for yoour kind comment

  • I had the feeling of freedom the first months of my retirement but very soon I engaged myself freely in diferent things and starting of that I lost my freedom . You have to respect the rules of your engagement.
    We can keep freedom in mind but are not we conditioned by a lot of things that mold our mind ?
    Perhaps the only freedom we have is the conscience that " I am " .
    In friendship
    Michel

  • Some days I think the only freedom we ever achieve is when we pretend to conform to the rules.

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