Day 2: Independence – Law or Common Sense

Before we hold onto the rights and freedoms given to us by the Constitution, do we evaluate our rights and freedoms as moral and ethical people?  Before someone has to tell us how to behave, can we evaluate that on our own?  Or do we need to be told how to treat others with respect?  Do we know how to interact with people so that they feel respected and do not have to be on guard because they are afraid of what we might do to them?  Our rights and freedoms exist before any constitution spells out our rights and protection.  That is why we went to war with England; we knew that our rights existed, but there was a need to have it written for all future generations to adhere to, otherwise they would be lost, and we would go back to tyranny.  Freedom of speech does not mean that you have the right to be as vulgar with your speech.  You can be more intelligent in finding a better, calmer way of expressing your discontent.  Your right to travel, work, and play exists as long as you aren’t taking advantage of others for personal gain.

These freedoms are not just written laws—they are common sense rules that shape how we live, speak, think, gather, and protect ourselves.  How we treat our freedoms influences and molds those who watch us every day.  How we respect others is our duty to ourselves and others.  Sometimes you know you are a mentor, and sometimes people are watching you, and you have no idea.  Humility reminds us that we must continue to stand for and protect our freedom by living with honor, respect, and kindness.

​What is given to us freely can also be taken away!