Freedom is defined by different phrases
by different people. The word freedom denotes a life without inhibitions. It is
a life without any control. We are free to do anything, speak anything, think
anything etc. An uprooted tree has a new aspect of freedom of movement added to
its life. But that freedom is not life for it. Birds are free to fly anywhere,
but often return to its nest by dusk. Which is more meaningful freedom?
Freedom is not free life. Freedom is
responsibility.
The worst condition of life devoid of
freedom is slavery. But there is a positive aspect to it, if the master is a
benevolent one. Of course none can be always sure of a benevolent master.
Slaves have no responsibility. They
never care for earning bread, cloth and shelter. They do the work assigned to
them by the master. The result of the work does not come under their
consideration. If they are asked to gather grapes in an assigned vineyard, they
do the work diligently. They need not bother about the quality of the grapes.
Grapes in that particular vineyard assigned to them are collected, as their
master ordered.
They need not worry about the chaff that
is gathered along with good grains. It is the master who uses the winnowing fan
to separate chaff from grains.
When a slave feels hungry, he cries to
his master for food, never goes out to earn his bread. When he needs clothes,
he looks at his master for it. In his needs, he submits them with a humbling
posture to his master and the master supplies them.
His life is totally dependent on his
master. He enjoys the irresponsible life of a slave.
So all most all people love to live a
slavish life under a benevolent master.
Because, freedom is responsibility.
We are free means we have to:
Earn our bread, clothes and shelter.
Defend ourselves against our enemies.
Manage our resources and finance. Etc.
….
We are solely responsible for our life.
We cannot complain of others.
We cannot blame nature, people,
political conditions, government, or any other situations for our ill fortune.
We cannot drag in fate as the culprit.
We are solely responsible. No share
partners in life.
Every event in our life is the result of
certain choices we make. Choice is a voluntary action. We are responsible for
it. Thinking twice or thrice before making a choice or not giving much thought
to it is our responsibility.
To elect a good government, select a
better shopping mall, study a particular course, follow a life style etc are our
responsibility.
Many of us want freedom, but not
responsibility.
Freedom without responsibility is only a
whimsical notion.
The uprooted tree is free without any
responsibilities. Its branches and leaves were enjoying freedom from its birth.
Only its roots were in chains. Its roots were assigned the responsibility of
earning bread. Now it is uprooted, free from all responsibilities. But this is
a freedom from the life sustaining act of absorbing water and minerals from
earth. This freedom took away its life.
Birds are free to fly away. The sky is
vast. Food is available at other places also. It flies and flies, but never
forget its way back to home. It is responsibility to go back to its nest, to
protect itself from enemies like wild animals and nature.
Want to be free? Accept responsibility.
Without responsibility, freedom is
chaos.
Further readings:
Professor Jacob Abraham
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