The Realization of Liberty

It all begins with a thought that gives rise to a principle that is the foundation upon which the concept of Liberty rests.

The thought acquires its full potential and efficacy when applied to both itself and to the person who holds it with equal clarity. It is a self evident truth that many shun, hide from, relinquish or simply fail to see. This last predominates since the all encompassing nature of this particular thought isn’t easy to grasp. In fact, it can only be fully embraced by thoroughly contemplating the profound significance of its meaning.

In other words, the first true manifestation of this concept takes place when an individual decides to recognize it as utterly valid and applicable to that very person. The thought “I own myself” is simultaneously a recognition of truth, a dawning comprehension and, most importantly, a conscious choice.

Fully comprehended in all its glory it is the realization of Liberty.

The Foundation of Liberty

It all begins with a thought. But it also depends upon what that thought is. All too often thought is simply taken for granted. Some thoughts are merely inconsequential while others are central to what we are and define our very existence as human beings. Such thoughts have great power, the power to create and liberate, and are always intentional and require great effort. The opposite kind of thoughts, which are merely the byproducts of a lazy and unfocused mind, require little if any effort and all too often have the power to enslave and destroy. Short of that they are merely a waste of precious time, that is to say, of life.

One thought in particular has incredible weight and value yet is so obvious that it too is all-too-often taken for granted. This being the case, if stated overtly it is quickly acknowledged and its importance just as quickly dismissed. In this dismissal lies a great tragedy because in doing so people also unthinkingly cast away their freedom, although they are never fully cognizant of this fact. All for want of truly considering, examining and comprehending a fundamental thought, an idea.

A central fact of existence is that a person’s mind is part and parcel with his or her body, they are inseparable. The implications of this fact are rarely, if ever, carefully contemplated. The one thing that every person possesses that cannot be controlled by any other person is the contents of his or her mind. In this sense then it can be said that the first possession every person owns is contents of his or her mind. And since the mind and the body are inseparable it follows that every person owns him or her self in entirety. This thought is typically and most often stated in the simple maxim, “You own yourself.”

The full weight of this thought is more fully felt when spoken in the first person, “I own myself.” The power and responsibility of this statement is something that some people, many people perhaps, shrink from, and in doing so relinquish their very freedom. In that moment they also forsake the opportunity of taking control of their own lives, and as the poet said, all the remains is to lead lives of quiet desperation.

This thought, the concept of self ownership, is both the foundation and the pinnacle of what it is to be a human being. It encompasses the whole spectrum of human experience.

Without it a person is either a slave to circumstance, or to others. Grasping and embracing it a person gladly assumes the mantle of individual responsibility for life and all that comes with it.

It all begins with a thought - this self-evident truth of self ownership. From this springs a whole plethora of correlatives, inexorable and inescapable ramifications and conclusions that derive from the power, weight and import of this single concept. In an unfathomable turn of events it even contains itself, for an individual must own the idea before it becomes valid, reveals its value and makes available all its inherent power. At that point it becomes more than a thought, it becomes a principle.

And that principle is the foundation of Liberty.

The Wellspring of Liberty

It begins with something so small, so ephemeral, so inconsequential it cannot be seen, felt or measured. There is no way to prove it actually exists and is only known by its results. Yet it is the most powerful thing known to humanity for without it nothing in the human realm would take place. It is the source of all the myriad of worthwhile things.

Although it is known to all, most dismiss it as too common and trivial to be of any real significance. However it is so valuable that all things of value owe their value to its very existence. It is everyone’s common possession that if not ruled rules instead.

Left unrestrained it creates endless grief, misery and havoc in the world but controlled and focused is also the source for all its achievements. When pointed out for what it is, it is dismissed as a mere thought.

Which is undeniably true, it is just a thought.

It all begins with thought. It simply depends upon what that thought is.

And Liberty is nothing more than a thought. If you think about it.