OPINION: Freedoms

On Freedom Day in lockdown, my thoughts turn to the nature of freedom. We enjoy many freedoms. Today, for instance, we celebrate freedom from political oppression.

To me, freedom is, ultimately, the possibility of making choices.

“The choice is yours.” There is no disputing the fact that choices are limited by circumstances. I’m am reminded of a quotation from the play, The admirable Crichton: “Circumstances alter cases.” This pretty much sums it up. Yet there are many who choose to make the best of their circumstances. Or even rise up out of them. Our contentment, and even joy, are dependent on how we choose to approach our situations. As they say, “The choice is yours.”

“Do we allow the situation to get us down? … Or do we change the way we view things?”

In this time of lockdown, this is the first choice to make. Do we allow the situation to get us down? Do we recognise the new freedoms that lockdown presents? Many people have realised and embraced the fact that lockdown offers new opportunities for living, learning and doing. Yet it can get to us, despite all our good intentions. How do we approach that situation? Do we simply go with the slump? Or do we change the way we view things? Even amidst the dire threat of Covid-19, people can, and do, choose how to behave. Some choose to stay home, away from risky places and practice all the precautions they know. Others choose to behave irresponsibly and put themselves and others at risk.

“…for many, the choices are limited…”

We, who are more privileged than others, have mostly got off to a better start in life. But for many, the choices are limited, not only now, but in their lives generally. I think of the billions of people in our country and worldwide who are trapped in cycles of poverty. The majority do not have the freedom to choose a better quality of life. The conditions to do this simply do not exist for them. Recognising this could evoke some compassion.

“These thoughts could evoke some compassion.”

There are the homeless people. Many of us approach them with judgement. “They have brought this on themselves.” I would go so far as to say that for many their best choice was to live on the streets. What was their alternative? I shudder to think about the possibilities. These thoughts could evoke some compassion. And then there are the addicts. We often judge them for having put themselves in that position. After all, the vast majority of them chose to take that first puff, that first drink, that first shot. Yes, most of them chose to start using the substances they do. Yes, most have put their families through all kinds of torment. Yes, many have turned to theft and robbery to support their habit. But think of the hellhole they have dug for themselves. Their whole lives revolve around one thing. The stress of having to find the next fix. To relieve the pain of their craving and partial withdrawal. These thoughts could evoke some compassion. Yet, many have chosen to be freed from the trap.

What can we do with this compassion?

But what do we do with the compassion that our changed attitudes summon up? Another quote offers a good path: “Do what you can, where you can.” Just one caution: Don’t expose yourself to unnecessary danger while doing this. I am so thrilled to be a member of #ImStaying, which is doing so much good in so many places.