Liberté, Fraternité, Egalité
“The shallow consider liberty a release from all law, from every constraint. The wise see in it, on the contrary, the potent Law of Laws.” –Walt Whitman
Essential to liberty is the idea that we are all imbued with common sense, and should have the right to behave and create society as we each see fit. This would necessitate societies being very small, and furthermore constantly engaged in an organic process of change — of growing and dying — as any process in harmony with nature. The structure would serve the people; the people would not be a slave to the structure. However, in this model the individual has much more freedom, and thus, much more responsibility. In such a system, an individual must know himself, his connection to other human beings, and his connection to nature in order to best make decisions for himself and the future. There is no authority to comfort and provide answers. The answers must come from within. And from this place of knowing and connectedness, the community and nation can thrive.
When we think freely, when we look at the world honestly, when we question the answers that are given, it can certainly be terrifying. It feels as if our last grip on connection to something larger than ourselves will be sacrificed, that these beliefs will alienate us even further than we already feel. Yes, the truth can be terrifying, however, the truth can save us and nullify any oppressive system. The truth shall set you free and the truth is: power is not assumed it is given, courage is acting from the heart, and fear is just increased awareness. Everything is not lost. Our power as individuals is choice, and everyday we make choices. I am not asking for mere hope for a better tomorrow, I am asking for agency in each individual to rise to the occasion and create a better tomorrow. We can choose to find a deeper connection than we ever thought possible in coming together to create a just, sacred and sustainable universe for all beings.
