Freedom and independence do not mean that one can do whatever one pleases at any time. If that were true, most of us would select not to work and live some place different than we currently abide (with hired help to keep the place up), travel to interesting destinations (if not hedonistic), and eat as much as we could tolerate.
Freedom and independence more likely mean the opportunity to make decisions about the direction of our life and then take responsibility for the choices made - good or bad. Perhaps that is why we get so frustrated by the political aspects that direct the society in which we live.
Our personal experience of freedom and independence frequently contains irritation related to the lack of employment opportunities, and the high price of goods, services, and taxes. The apparent lack of appreciation from certain sectors that we, as tax payers, believe we are supporting in their freedom without the attendant responsibility increases our disquiet over the price of freedom.
We are but visitors during our short lives. We should take careful account of the time we have and attempt to make the most of the experience. Perhaps freedom should include our personal committment to "make things better" for those around us, those yet to come, and the land that we inhabit. Perhaps that is part of the reason we have been granted freedom.
"Freedom is not worth having if it does not connote freedom to err." ~Mahatma
Gandhi
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