On this Easter, a time of reflection and contemplation for me, I simply want to share a belief I hold and endeavor to live/practice as it is fundamental to how I wish to relate to others and fundamental to my adherence to libertarian principles: Teach only love, for that is what you are. 

We, as libertarians, as individuals, come from many different backgrounds including the religious or spiritual beliefs we may hold or perhaps once held...we are diverse...but the common denominator we all share is our commitment to advancing liberty.  There are often many a practical, logical, pragmatic and therefore powerful argument for each libertarian solution we offer to share with others - and it is they I focus upon most often - but for me, and a few others I’ve had the blessing of meeting, there is also a deep commitment to liberty based upon the ethical, the spiritual, and the moral.  It’s not often something we necessarily have oft the opportunity to share, but today I decided I wanted to share a few personal beliefs.

To me, nothing is more loving to my brothers and sisters than wanting to achieve and working for liberty.  Using their free will, each individual chooses for themselves how they wish to live, with the only qualification that it not initiate force (harm) against another.  Think about it--everything we espouse as libertarians--comes down to essentially respecting the free will, the sovereignty, of the individual...of individual rights.  To me, that is at the heart of what love is.  Love is not conditional; it is not about control; it is neither hungry for power or greedy.  Love, too, is strong, bold and courageous.  Love, for me, is the fundamental basis of my libertarianism.  Libertarian principles illumine what is otherwise a very dark arena - politics.  It is such principles this nation was founded upon, and to which we must fight to return. 

Sure, I’m proficient (and always learning) at sharing the many aspects (statistics, facts) we have as libertarians at our disposal to support our principles and solutions, but, again, on this Easter morning I would like to share another aspect, a personal aspect of my beliefs, with you...and I would like to do so by simply directing you to a beautiful piece entitled "Freedom is the Key to Life’s Short Journey," a piece written by Jacob Hornberger in 1999...when I first read it, I felt such a rapport with it - for it expresses precisely the thoughts, pondering, and beliefs I hold.  Thus, I share it with you:

Freedom is the Key to Life’s Short Journey

by Jacob G. Hornberger, May 1999

http://www.fff.org/comment/ed0599g.asp

Peace,
Christine Smith