Simple Freedom

Up until now my writing has been rather self-deprecating and off-center. I don’t know why that is, but I don’t think I have the energy for it anymore. Perhaps I'm letting go of that.

It is 3:30 am, and I was just awoken to the sound of music. It is the Fourth of July… or, more accurately, it will be once tomorrow begins. (Or is it today? Whether this is this still the end of one day or the beginning of another I can’t yet be certain.)

The music that woke me was one song. One song played loudly throughout a sleeping urban neighborhood. One song played in its entirety. And yes, one song only.

This was no accident. I imagine whoever made the decision to play this "one song" pondered the tradeoff between neighborhood serenity and personal desire, a subtle bargaining with conscience. I imagine this person clinging desperately to the rules until hitting a breaking point, and at that point - in a drunken daze in the middle of the night, perhaps - forgoing the rules for the thrill of music. And strangely, to whoever made this decision... I applaud you.

If there’s one thing I can relate to, it’s the passion for music and the emotional intensity it brings. So good for you for letting go of it all - momentarily - for the sheer pleasure of hearing a song you love. Talk about freedom.

And this made me think of freedom in different terms. It’s too late (or early?) to consider the political freedom implicit in today’s celebration of our country’s independence. It’s too complex to analyze the state of the world relative to our nation or the detriment this freedom may have brought - or may continue to bring - to others. It’s too philosophical to debate the balance between personal freedom and expression (such as playing music loudly) and infringing on someone else.

But I can think in simple terms at 4 am: I can think of being free.

I have the good fortune to be free from so many things. I am generally free from financial and emotional worry, from loneliness, from the strain of poor health, from feelings of loss and sadness. In the terms of FDR, I am free from want and fear. And yes, I too am often free to play music loudly and enjoy the activities and people I love best.

What more freedom is there?

Happy Fourth of July. I hope you have freedom as you need it most.