FREEDOM, by RG Williams

Many men and women with entrepreneurial spirit set sail to discover what was "out there" beyond the water's edge. Some were looking for new and quicker ways to retrieve supplies and goods for their families and country. While others were out to stake a claim on new land for their government. What was discovered was a 'new world'. It was called a new world because it was outside of their box. As time progressed, more and more people ventured outside of the box and moved to teh new world. Why? One word - FREEDOM!

the life they were leaving in their homeland, for whatever reason, did not give them what they wanted. They looked, with visionary eyes, to what might be outside of the box for them. They took the risk and packed up everything they had, knowing there would be no turning back. They came to a land that was unfamiliar to them - harsh, barren. What they brought with them was their spirit and vision. They worked hard to shape and mold a new life. They lost loved ones, shared hardships with one common theme - FREEDOM!

They had the opportunity to create whatever they wanted, however they wanted. They knew what they had left behind and that gave them the courage, vision and power to create something new, fresh, and different. There was only one challenge... they were not the only ones to arrive in the new world. The governments of the old world wanted their influence over here as well. For some living here it was a welcome sight, a "comfort zone." For the founding forefathers it was a constant reminder of the box they had left behind.

They would meet together to discuss their visions and their future. When it was discovered what the meetings were about, they heavy hand of the old government pushed them into hiding. In their secret meetings they began to define their dreams, goals, desires, their "Life Objective". They met and eloquently put it all in writing for themselves and future generations to come. They boldly signed their names and proudly displayed their banner. They knew what they wanted adn were willing to lay everything on the line.

This caused conflict with the 'mother country', which in turn imposed laws, rules and regulations, doing anything to keep control. It was that 'everything and anything' that gave strength to our forefathers. They believed in what they stood for and stood their ground for those beliefs. When the mother country imposed taxes, they understood that they would not benefit from those taxes and rejected them. In fact, they were willing to destroy neede supplies to make their point. The historical Boston Tea Party was over one percent tax! Thomas Jefferson wrote, "If taxes should ever rise above 10 percent, the colonists should immediately overthrow the government!"

They knew what they wnated and id not rely on others to give it to them. They worked hard and paved the way for the next generation. Each generation has made their place in history, the coming of the railroad, the automobile, the airplane, the computer, space exploration, the world wide web. Over all these years we have lived in a land where the imagination knows no boundaries.

We can change our lives and then change them again. We have the freedom to live our objectives. One of the truths that has sadly been clouded is the right to be totally free! We have become slaves to different masters; money, debt, credit, taxes, laziness, and dependency on others. We live in a time when everything moves at lightning speed and we take things for granted. The space shuttle goes out and back without most knowing it. How many flights arrive and depart nationwide in a single hour? We can communicate instantly through machines over invisible air waves!

The questions then to ask are: How many of us know where we are going? How many of us belive in what we say we stand for and then stand up for those beliefs? This is America, we have a voice and yet most remain silent! we can control our future and yet we stand by and allow others to control it for us! We have created our own "mother countries" and follow their rules and guidelines. How long will we let our personal mother country impose rules and regulations upon our life?

The time has come for each and everyone of us to stand up and be heard, to boldly sign our names and proudly display our banners! Do not let this generation pass you by while you stand silent! Define your life, scream it from the mountain tops and the go live it! Have the courage, the drive and the desire for FREEDOM!