Like a boat without a rudder

I think about it still. I had been given a precious gift called freedom, and for a while I mistook it for the purpose of my life. I thought that because I was free to sail wherever I wanted, whenever I wanted, without seeking permission from someone else, that I possessed all I would ever need. What I discovered was that if I wanted to be free, truly free, I had to choose. There were many points on the compass rose; I had to locate the few that were meant for me. Not any destination picked at random or reached by happenstance would do. I had to head for those that summoned with me with a passion, for they were the ones that gave meaning to my life. I had to ignore the warnings of friends, the cautions ones who would tell me why I couldn’t do what I wanted to do – and why. And I had to avoid the wise lies of enemies, the zealots and the despots who would try to bend me to their will.