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There are as many concepts about freedom. Everyone means by this something of their own — small or large, concrete or abstract.

If you asked a master serf or a current prisoner two centuries ago what freedom was, they would only have in mind their individual will from the yoke of other people. And if you asked a French citizen of the time of the capture of the Bastille about the same, the answer would be completely different. And yet both those and others put a social meaning in this concept. Their freedom is deliverance from the tyranny of one group of people over another, from oppression and the inability to dispose of themselves.

But then why in our age, when the word «freedom» is pronounced several times a day, do we not feel free? We are entangled in a web of constraints — work, family, all kinds of obligations, endless running in a vicious circle. And only by bowing our heads on the pillow, we finally open it for a while. But a new day promises a new race.

For a long time I tried to understand who is truly free? For example, rich people or just well-off people — maybe they? It is generally accepted that money and what can be bought with it give a person freedom. This is largely true. But somehow I read statistics that about 90% of patients in neurosis clinics in the United States and Japan are managers of big business and businessmen of above average level. That is, while earning good money, people cannot cope with nervous overloads. But they cannot leave their business either. But this is typical slavery, dependence on money, career or power. Where is freedom here?

After thinking, I direct my gaze to the other side. Those who are apparently really free are people of culture and art. Singers, musicians, writers and poets, fashion designers, artists, composers — in a word, bohemia. Their strong point is shocking and freedom of expression, they do not depend on public opinion and are free in their high flights of thought. Yes, in moments of creative self-expression, they are really free and seem to float above the enthusiastic crowd. But they also need to eat, sew quite material suits and pay utility bills. This means that their complete freedom is just short, albeit brilliant moments.

And yet there is freedom, which no one and under no circumstances can take away from a person. This is inner, spiritual freedom. It is given by God to everyone, and it is only in our power to choose whether to accept it or remain a slave to an unstable and changing world every second. In war or in prison, you can not accept it and become embittered, or you can accept it and forgive and repent. It is possible, having become disabled, filled with bitterness, resentment and hatred for the whole world, or even in such a state, you can become, like Nick Vuychich, a source of consolation, hope and support for many people — not only sick, but also healthy.

Whatever we do — work, rest, love, create, wherever we go, whoever we communicate with, no matter how we rejoice or suffer, this inner freedom, reinforced by a living faith in God, remains with us. Always, under any circumstances, at any age, anywhere. And it exists as long as we are. And don’t look for it from the outside. True freedom is within each of us.