Freedom is not the Highest Virtue
What are you trading for your freedom?
I was thrown into a new life wildly different from the one I came from. At home in London, we literally lived on top of each other. My aunt and brother slept on the bottom bunk in our room; I slept on top. We all shared 60 square feet. My mom and dad had their 60; My sister slept in a closet. Every night I waited to use the bathroom that all 6 of us shared. Our community was similarly cramped; people were always over, a teapot was perpetually whistling on the stove, and my mom routinely had me take the "adult drinks" to the many family friends we entertained in the living room. We were not free in any straightforward sense; we were bounded by the need to serve our family, community, and friends. Despite this fact, we gained a great sense of purpose from contributing to the teeming community we built in our cramped house in Edgeware. America felt, sterile and strangely polished. Every house boasted a perfect exterior — as did those who lived in them. The friendships were formed at an arm's length; the community never teemed; the guests never came; the close bonds we yearned for in this strange land never formed. Well, at least we had our freedom; is this the American dream we wanted?
A lot of people have this idyllic view of being truly "free". They picture themselves lounging on a beach chair, pina colada in hand, unburdened by any sense of responsibility. The thing is, the moment we are bored, we yearn to do something meaningful. It is not those who live a life free from any structure who are the most fulfilled, it is those who take on a sufficiently significant burden.
An avenue through which we should find meaning is by contributing to a community. As we have become more individualistic, these microcosms of society have become less a place to BE formed and more a place to PERform. There is much to be learned by humbly allowing oneself to be shaped by a social or spiritual community through serving others. Relinquishing the desire to maximize one's individual freedom and instead focusing on learning from and caring for your neighbor can make you more "free" than external freedom ever could.
Much is gained when you realize that freedom is not the highest virtue.
Very well worded. When I read this it makes me rethink striving for independence in all areas. Some dependence on my family, friends, and church seems like a good idea haha.