Maintain your freedom

Hello, mi neighbour!

Time and place felt wrong for such uproarus laughter, but onlookers could not control their emotions at the Traffic Court. While a gentleman who was found guilty of a traffic offence was being escorted to the cashier to pay the fine (quite a lucrative business?), the judge in question said to him, “Thank you for coming, sir, and please come again soon”. Even as you chuckle, there is a seriousness in this statement. If he were not careful, he could find himself standing before the same judge in short order.

Motorists, obey the road codes and stop throwing away your hard-earned cash. You will need it especially in hard times!

Having paid the fine, the ‘felon’ was now free – free to go. But, was he freed from the indiscipline that caused him to commit the infraction in the first place? Would he repeat that offence that could land him back in the same situation down the road? For sure, if he was not careful. Haste, fear, inexperience, careless and recklessness are some of the things behind breaking the road codes. Pay attention, people! Careful driving saves lives; careless driving does not!

Back to freedom: freedom is sweet, let’s do everything within our power to keep it. Does anyone understand why a man would give up his freedom for a “morsel of pottage” then spend his whole lifetime, even at the risk of dying, trying to regain it? Such is the nature of man. It is said but “freedom can be a complex and multifaceted concept, and there are various problems associated with it”. One thing for sure, every man has a right to freedom. This freedom, however, must be used for the benefit of God’s creation and His cause: help others, develop skills and talents, seek knowledge, love, share, and care, etc. Freedom must not be used to harm or exploit others! No hate speech, violence, or manipulation by governments, business leaders, family members or the man in the street. Freedom gives no one the liberty to engage in self-destructive behaviours: substance abuse, sex abuse, or any other reckless activities. Hey, remember that there is a day of reckoning coming. As we say in Jamaica, “get whey from man but we doan get whey from God”. Be careful mi bredrin! Freedom is a funny thing – if yuh abuse it, yuh lose it! Walk wisely.

As challenging as it may be at times, even if it means using a vice grip to hold it, maintain your freedom. Safeguard against internal habits like complacency. If we are complacent, it’s just a matter of time before our precious freedom slips away from us, leaving us bewildered and frustrated. Lack of understanding of the value and responsibilities that come with freedom may cause someone to snatch it from us. And then! If fear of change prevents us from using this precious thing, we would have been better off not having it in the first place. Don’t take these sayings lightly!

Enough said, but it would be sad if I did not highlight what freedom does for our individual growth. Some of these are borrowed thoughts.

· Freedom allows individuals to make choices and decisions that shape their lives. Don’t make foolish choices or bad decisions, though!

· Freedom enables individuals to express themselves, their thoughts, and their creativity. Make them healthy and positive.

· Freedom allows individuals to pursue their passions and interests. Make them enriching.

· Freedom fosters innovation, as individuals are able to think, create, and experiment without restriction. Don’t go overboard!

· Freedom enables individuals to challenge unjust systems and advocate for social change. Do it with humility!

I leave you with a word from the Master’s desk: “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another”.

FREEDOM!

KINDLY HELP A NEIGHBOUR WITH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. Stove

2. Refrigerator

3. Bed

4. Food

5. Help with medication

6. Financial assistance to start a little business

To help, please call Silton Townsend @ 876 649-9636 or deposit in acct #351 044 276 NCB. Alternatively, send donations to Hello Neighbour C/o 53 Half-Way Tree Road, Kingston 10; PayPal/credit card: email: zicron22@yahoo.com. Contact email: helloneighbour@yahoo.com. Visit hellomineighbourja.blogspot.com. Townsend exclusively manages the collections and distributions mentioned in this column and is neither an employee nor agent of The Gleaner.