The Discovery & Use of Liberty

By Chris Rossini

Imagine a fish in the deep blue sea. This fish is on a personal quest to discover water. He's heard about it and all of its wonders, but has never actually seen it. He's devoted his life to someday finding this glorious water.

All the while, our hypothetical fish is immersed in the very thing that he seeks. The water surrounds him, flows through his gills, and is a part of his very physical being.

Now let's take a human being and his quest to discover Liberty. He's never seen this Liberty that people speak of, but he's devoted to climbing every mountain, if he has to, in order to find it.

All the while, our hypothetical human is immersed in the very Liberty that he seeks! It's built-in to his very essence! He doesn't have to go anywhere. It's right here, and right now!

Think about this...

Were all the powers of electricity present during the times of Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome? Of course they were! They just weren't discovered yet, and because of that, were never able to be put to use.

Once the powers of electricity were discovered, even though they always existed, the entire world lit up!

At the same time, the proper use of this electricity also had to be discovered. The same electricity that has the ability to light up a city, also has the ability to burn it down. So humans have to consciously choose to use this amazing power in a constructive way.

Liberty was discovered long ago. No one living today can claim to be the first to find out that we are inherently free. In fact, the Declaration of Independence listed "Life" and "Liberty" as self-evident and inherent truths. These do not come from other human beings, but are a part of the very essence of every single one of us.

However, just because Liberty was discovered as a part of our very nature, doesn't mean that it has been generally accepted. Our freedom includes the ability (if we so choose) to try to deny and even fight against it. 

For many, it is easier and more comforting to pretend that they are not free individuals. They use their Liberty to deny their Liberty.

As individuals we're each tasked with choosing our own path. Much as electricity has the power to be constructive or destructive, so does Liberty have a proper use.

What is the proper use of Liberty?

It's actually extremely simple.

No individual has the right to use aggressive force against another. In libertarian lingo, this is knows as the "non-aggression" principle. Force is for self-defense purposes only. No one can rob, steal, cheat or kill. Doing these things are a misuse of Liberty, just as burning a city down is the misuse of electricity.

While most individuals understand and wouldn't ever think of misusing electricity, far too many individuals do not understand Liberty, and comply with its misuse.

Far too many individuals believe that governments can rob, steal, cheat and kill, if these things will indirectly benefit them. A person will not rob his neighbor by himself, but will lobby for government to rob his neighbor for him. A person will not invade a country 6000 miles away himself, but will Tweet that government should go over there and 'wipe them out.'

The best that can be done, on an individual basis, is to (A) Discover that you are a free individual. (B) Use your Liberty constructively instead of destructively, and then (C) Do as the Liberty Bell says: "Proclaim Liberty Throughout The Land".

Proclaiming Liberty has both selfish and altruistic benefits. From a selfish standpoint, the less people that there are around you who believe they have a right to rip you off, the better it is for you.

If you're surrounded by a society of people who wouldn't think of harming your liberty, your quality of life would rise exponentially. So proclaiming liberty is definitely in your interest.

From an altruistic standpoint, the vast majority of people who have ever lived (and that live today) never knew (and do not know) about their inherent Liberty. They never got to smell the roses. If your words help someone to see what has been hidden, there is great joy to be had. 

You don't have to change the world. No one is burdened with such a monumental responsibility. But what if you reached just a few people in your circle? With the existence of social media, you have the ability to reach much further!

Many will refuse to see, no matter what. That's life, and not your concern. Let them be as they wish to be.
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But even if your son or daughter, or friend, or spouse (or total stranger) were to discover and use their Liberty and Peace because you explained it to them, the emotional payoff for you will be great.