I LOVE Freedom

Finding darkness is never difficult. It’s become a habit. We generate it, venerate it, luxuriate in it. Our films offer an array of conflicts—the bases of our plots. We love clever zingers as much as we hate broadcasting our vulnerabilities. Temporary leaders fall in line behind what seems to be the safest, strongest voice even when they detest the content of that voice because losing is something Americans hate. We like to think of ourselves as winners. If we can’t win, we walk away.

As Newton said, every action has an equal or opposite reaction. Sounds like we’re ignoring a lot of energy we could use to turn the light back on. Instead of anti-fascism, aren’t we also pro-democracy—“we the people” as a neighborhood? As many Americans have already demonstrated in the peaceful—even joyful–marches, we can remember who we are as souls, remember we’re famous for radical kindness. We don’t have to accept the twisted definitions of democracy opponents have invented. We don’t have to believe pseudo-religious or non-religious propaganda. We don’t have to be perfect by anyone’s standards to be good.

And we don’t have to play by revenge-inspired rules. Remember the famous “Just say no” campaign? A bully always sets up boundaries to restrict the victim—rules based on indoctrination we’ve lived with for years such as fear of authority or retribution, but we don’t have to perpetuate a submissive response. Look for the reaction that’s expected and turn it on its ear. Defiance can be subtle and even beautiful. Like the light-hearted costumed responses Oregonians and Gavin Newsom have made to proposed military control, we can seize the ball and change the game. We can come to the rescue of those being targeted or be amusing distractions. Laughter is almost as potent as love. Be creative. Dignity no longer applies. Small actions accumulate to create change. We can provide evidence we are acting out of caring. We already know our like-minded group is well over seven million strong and expanding. Ours need not be a fight but an inevitable transformation. Get out there and shine. You’ll shadow much that’s ugly.

Lately, various readings and authentic spiritual speakers have convinced me that I need to refocus on what I want, not what I don’t want. I want compassionate freedom–independence that expands around me like a billowing cloud. I love freedom as I have loved this country, this land. I think kindness is implied in freedom for all, kindness and caring. A person who can be manipulated by the withholding of basic needs or the implementation of violence isn’t free. Basic needs include not merely physical necessities such as good health, clean water, and nutritious food, but also emotional needs such as dignity and safety and love. We aren’t puppets for sale. I need to focus on what I can do to ensure and enhance freedom radiating around me. I yearn to laugh instead of fume. It’s much healthier. And I want the freedoms we once promised one another to be available to all. I can feel the transformation forming. We got us into this mess; we can get us out.