New Appreciation For My Freedom

Doesn't my post title sounds incredibly American?  It may be, but I definitely have a new appreciation for the freedom I have as a Canadian and as a person currently living in the U.S..

Let me explain...

I recently registered to participate in a study that looks at heart rate when meditation is combined with exercise.  The first part of the study involved being trained to meditate.  I met with the researcher three times a week, for two weeks, to meditate for 20 minutes.

The researcher is from Israel and is currently living in the U.S. with his wife and toddler.  Before and after the meditation sessions we would have conversations, sharing our experiences and perspectives on living in the U.S..  The most recent conversation had an enormous impact on me; the topic was gun control.

The researcher shared how unsafe he feels in the U.S. because there is not an obvious police or security presence.  He shared how nervous he feels dropping his 2 year old off at daycare, noting that the window is close to the street and anyone can just drive by and shoot at the house.

He shared how uneasy he was traveling in London, England because there was no security in the subway stations.  He said there (and here), you don't know who the 'bad guys' are, they could be anyone so you're constantly looking over your shoulder.  

The researcher went onto explain that in his country there are police and security with guns everywhere.  They are on buses, in front of restaurants, in markets, at schools...everywhere...and this makes you feel safe.

I shared my life experience of living in a country where you feel safe without security and police everywhere.  There is the knowledge that I can take the bus and no harm will come to me, I can walk through a mall with no thoughts of watching my back.  He thought I was naive.

I am so thankful that God has allowed me to live in countries where the feeling of safety is not created by the presence of guns.  I'm thankful that I an freely walk where I want with little worries, I am thankful for my freedom.