Summary

Michael Patanella reflects on the personal and societal value of freedom, drawing from his experiences with mental illness, addiction, and incarceration to emphasize the importance of appreciating and maintaining freedom in all its forms.

Abstract

The article "Freedom Isn’t Free" by Michael Patanella is a poignant reflection on the nature of freedom and its profound significance in human life. Patanella, based in the United States, uses the occasion of Independence Day to delve into the broader concept of freedom, noting that it is often taken for granted. He shares his personal journey through mental illness and drug addiction, illustrating how these challenges can imprison a person within their own mind. Patanella describes the harsh realities of being physically incarcerated and the intense longing for freedom that comes with it. He advocates for a mindful approach to life, urging readers to recognize the value of freedom, both physical and psychological, and to not undervalue the liberties they enjoy. The narrative serves as a reminder that freedom is a precious and multifaceted asset that must be actively preserved and cherished.

Opinions

Patanella believes that freedom is a multifaceted concept that extends beyond societal structures to include mental and emotional states.
He suggests that personal experiences with loss of freedom, such as through mental health struggles and addiction, can provide profound lessons about its true value.
The author emphasizes that the cost of freedom is realized most acutely when it is absent, particularly in situations of institutionalization or incarceration.
Patanella argues that freedom should not be taken for granted and that moments of captivity can lead to a deepened appreciation for the ability to live freely.
He advocates for mindfulness as a tool to maintain a conscious awareness of the blessings of freedom in one's daily life.
The article conveys a message of gratitude for freedom, encouraging readers to actively acknowledge and protect their liberties.

Freedom Isn’t Free

Freedom is celebrated differently, and at different times all around the world. It is something that may be viewed in various ways, depending on cultures and traditions. For myself, I am here in the United States, and this weekend is the time of year that we celebrate our independence. I know it can often be easy to let the blessing and value of our freedom slip our minds. We take things like that for granted, and we keep its importance buried in our subconscious.

When we look around the world at tough places where freedom isn’t a guarantee, we should be reminded that freedom isn’t free. We should think about it everyday.

I want to take a step back, and look at freedom from a different type of perspective. Living free is one of the most valuable and priceless parts of life. We must always keep its worth fresh in our minds.

My experiences with mental illness and drug addiction were the greatest (and toughest) lessons ever taught to me. Especially when it came down to living in a world as a free man, and not a prisoner. Being a prisoner in my own mind was one of the most painful parts of life that I ever experienced. When we are trapped in our own minds, we feel the painful parts of life in a completely amplified way.

Being stuck in our brains with patterns of erratic thoughts and emotions, can be a world that is indescribable to outsiders who are trying to look in. It leads us to acting in ways that project trouble and mistakes right back to us.

The lack of being free in this type of scenario really overtakes life in negative ways. Because the related behaviours can not only take our mental and emotional freedom away. It can take it away literally and physically as well.

Since it is the places we end up in, that really make us regret ever taking freedom for granted.

The very best lessons in freedom I’ve ever learned, was the experiences I had with being forced out of society. When we are mandated to places like institutions, jails, or penitentiaries, our entire lives of free living flash before our eyes continuously. It can be a process that holds some of the worst thoughts and fears we’ve ever experienced.

Instantly, the strongest emotions of regret flood over us in an almost shivering type of way. We beat ourselves up, and we repeatedly ask ourselves “how could we have been so stupid!?”

In that unfree world, we play the tapes back over and over again, and every thought that we can possibly connect to freedom, comes over and over again.

For me, I remember when I was “away” from home, I would have dreams at night, that I was free, and I never really went away. Only to wake up, look around and realize that I really was actually living in a nightmare. That was a moment that would happen over and over as the weeks and months went on. I can look back and remember the many tears it brought me.

While being forced into an institution, or jail doesn’t seem remotely the same as living in a country with freedom, it really does connect afterall.

Freedom is a general state of living, as well as a state of mind, and even now, I catch myself sometimes taking this free life for granted.

Thankfully, I now value the meaning and way of life with knowledge of mindfulness. So when I catch myself taking things like that for granted, I immediately take my mind back, to its current state of recognizing blessings in my life, and the lives of my loved ones.

I hope everyone reading today, has a good sense of value, when it comes to determining the worth of your freedom.

Whether it be physical freedom, or the freedom that comes with good emotions and mental health, I hope everyone feels free on this day.

By MICHAEL PATANELLA

Michael Patanella

is a Trenton, New Jersey Author, Publisher, Columnist, Editor, Advocate, and recovering addict, covering topics of mental health, addiction, sobriety, mindfulness, self-help, faith, spirituality, Smart Recovery, social advocacy, and countless other nonfiction topics. His articles, publications, memoirs, and stories are geared towards being a voice for the voiceless. Hoping to reach others out there still struggling.