Everyone loves the concept of independence but everyone has their own take on what it means. They have their own definition of tyranny and independence. A common understanding should and does exist when we lay aside turf wars and take a little time to sort out the actual concepts. The concept of rights is also being redefined at will since it goes hand in hand with freedom. We can address this  in basic form only since our space and interest is limited. After all we have memes to laugh at and other posts to read.

The goods that are perceived by us belong to two categories. The first goods are those that cause instant gratification. Appetites, cravings, longings, desires and dreams constantly demand action. The second kind of good is  a good life; the things that are advantageous to us such as health, supplies and satisfaction. The first area of goods, instant gratification, if given free rein can ruin our ability to acquire a happy life. To be free to live a good life, impulses have to be mastered.

The first tyrant to enter the scene is the one within us who wants instant gratification but is willing to throw away a fulfilled life for it. This tyrant uses the guise of freedom to justify destroying a good future. The reality is that too much instant gratification puts a person in bondage and destroys health, supply and satisfaction. In order to have a good life, a person must be the master his own impulses. This state of self disciplined mastery is what freedom and independence define.

A child needs a parent to help with self control until they get in the habit of making the right choices where enough gratification is satisfied while sacrificing the right amount for a good life. Teens rebel in order to become the master of their own lives. They want to be independent and make these choices for themselves. We hope to have enough self discipline instilled in them to help them get past the emotionally charged impulse years and go on to live a good life. A parent who tries to keep a child dependent to make themselves relevant and important is practicing tyranny. A child who hasn’t learned to be the master of his own life will be handicapped and less satisfied with life.

There are always a number of people who want to tend to the difficulties of others in order to make themselves feel relevant. Since they aren’t satisfied with their own lives, they piggyback off other’s difficulties to get their own sense of pride and accomplishment. These professional tenders practice tyranny by convincing others that they cannot live a good life without their constant attendance. It can be presented in a religious or a political context. These tenders produce a dissatisfied dependent populace who look for heroes to pull them out of  all their difficulties. We have a right to receive credit for our own accomplishments and to deal with our own failures.

Accountability is the anchor of freedom. It is impossible to stay the master of one’s own life without having the ability to handle our own failures and missteps. Self pity is an impulse that brings instant gratification. It requires self mastery to come out of disappointments and continue to pursue a good life. Working through their own difficulties gives a person a sense of pride and accomplishment. This is an important part of having a good life and is essential to freedom.