Freedom

In preparing a lesson plan for Changhun, I remembered something he said previously, that I've always intended to revisit. We were discussing clothing. Changhun said he was surprised that in a free country, we have dress codes for certain jobs and schools.

Well, we're discussing "freedom," tomorrow. I wish I could explain that complying with God's Will is freedom. That it is freedom from worldly desires that is freeing. But I know Haeyeun won't tolerate much talk about God and religion. So I can't use that angle.

I plan to partner off to brainstorm ideas, to get him started. Changhun and Haeyeun can jibber jabber in Korean and English. After a bit, we'll have a round table discussion and try to define "Freedom."

It's not that easy. I googled "Freedom" and read many opinions. One thing freedom isn't, is the right to do whatever whim enters your head. This was considered by many as "License." Freedom isn't a license to do whatever. Freedom means choosing responsibly. You can't have the freedom to hurt others, never mind kill them, as the pro-abortion people propose. So how many define freedom is really "license."

After awhile, I saw that "Freedom" needed to be defined according to societal freedom, personal freedom, and freedom within. "Freedom within" is interesting. Your mind can be free inside prison. No one can get inside you. Then the opposite, you can be very free (not incarcerated) and indulging yourself in whatever selfish wish you desire, and find yourself isolated and barren.

What good is freedom, if you've made choices that have alienated those you love?
As the song "Bobby McGee" says, "Freedom's just another word, for nothing left to lose..."
And the song "Desperado" ..."And freedom, ohh freedom.
Well that's just some people talking.
Your prison is walking through this world all alone."

How will Changhun define "Freedom?'

...to be continued.