Freedom

​Two words came to mind the other day that I had not given any thought to in times past, but they meant something to me then, and today in light of what I was reading.  The words were “risk averse.”
Today I was reading something that contrasted freedom and slavery.  A sentence that really got me thinking went something like, “you can hardly abuse slavery, but you can freedom.”
The author was saying how many prefer to play it safe and try to live to a multitude of rules and regulations rather than risk the abuse that can come with freedom.
I think the riots we are seeing in the US and Hong Kong highlight the risks of freedom.  The cause may be just, but the methods are questionable at best.  Seeing the property of innocent people destroyed seems to me to be a strange way of trying to influence people.  In both cases I endorse the cause but not the method.
To me it is an example of how freedom can be abused.  I am not of the school though that thinks freedom needs to be curtailed because it can be abused.  There is always danger with freedom.  The possibility of abuse is a constant companion of freedom.
I was asking myself the other day if I am risk averse.  There are certainly those who will do things that I won’t, and they meet with success without adverse consequence.  Having said that though I do not think I am risk averse.  Within my capabilities I will push myself to the limit, but it is always after a careful assessment and doing something about (when I can) the risks.  Even being careful in freedom though I can get done in by risks.
This is a great excuse to mention the shed.  Did I say at any stage we have a new one?  At the moment we are populating it.  In one section we will store tools, and in the other will be Merril’s art studio.  Just outside it we are putting our paint (near where the trailer is going.)  It will be protected by a small plastic green house.  I was moving stuff into it the other day and although I was wearing gloves and eye protection it got me.
It has wire shelves.  We have had it a while.  I scraped my arm on the wire and it bled.  I cleaned the wound and smothered it with cream.  If I were a pirate, I could say “Ay me harties this cut be when I be doing battle with a” ….um small plastic pretend green house does not sound real impressive.  I would encourage someone to look at my wound pretty quick as it is healing and disappearing fast.
For me though, if I were risk averse, I may not have done it because doing nothing is safer.  Yet freedom says I can do it but something bad can happen.  Well it can, but the benefits are worth it.
I enjoy freedom.  I do not think though it is an occasion to do something reckless just because I can.  Freedom I think is a way to help.  I am not in favour of over thinking something, but I am in favour of stepping into the unknown if I feel it is right, and it will be of benefit.