insert witty title here

Here in North America, you often hear freedom defined as "the right to do whatever I want" and I think that's a terribly adolescent definition. To my mind, freedom is the opportunity to be responsible for yourself; for if you are not responsible for yourself, then you are not free.

In repressive countries (and relationships), freedom is forcefully taken away you. In other countries (and relationships ) it's thrown away or traded for an easier life of not having to think too hard.

When your freedom is forcibly taken away from you, you have two moral choices: accept your repression or fight back. You also have two moral choices when your freedom is freely adbicated: accept the consequences or commit to the effort it takes to be responsible for yourself at all times.

By defining freedom as "the right to do whatever I want", people today tend to abdicate their freedom when being responsible requires effort; but to want to claim equality when there an immediate reward to be had.

However it's my observation that cherry-picking your way through life is rarely a successful strategy and often results in expending more energy and angst than simply stepping up to the plate the first time would consume. Why spend all that effort rationalizing why someone else ought to be responsible for solving your problems, needs or desires, when doing it yourself and moving forward would leave you happier and healthier?