Each July 4th people in the United States gather to celebrate our freedom as a country. That freedom came at a price when we separated ties with Great Britain. All these years later we are still fighting to preserve that freedom. Freedom then, and now comes at a cost.
We gather to see fireworks each year in annual celebration of the new beginning of our country. Originally, the sky was sprinkled with light because of explosions from ships firing at each other. Now the fireworks are of a celebration of the battles of our past victory.
But freedom, it is not just about the country we live in. It is also personal. We can live in a country that protects our freedom and yet still feel trapped. Personal freedom too, may come at a cost. Just as our forefathers had to stand up for themselves and declare injustice, we too must stand up for ourselves when we feel threatened. Whether that be from prejudice and discrimination from gender, racial, socioeconomic, religion, physical and mental disabilities.
We might need to light a few fireworks and make some noise to be heard. We might need to do battle. Perseverance may be in demand. Stay true to your course. My personal battle is to help those with mental health struggles to live without the stigmas that are attached. We all have our personal “battles” even if we don’t cite them out loud. We all seek to be free to live a happy and healthy (physically and mentally) life.
So let us remember the battles of our forefathers and remember that while freedom comes at a cost, it is worth the effort!
May you find the freedom you seek along your path of life!