Freedom to Survive

At a bare minimum, we need air to breathe, water, food, and rest to sustain our life. As witnessed on many survival shows an enterprising adult can survive naked and alone for quite some time without anyone’s assistance.

Before long they will most likely desire the added protection of clothing and shelter, which can be generated by the enterprising solo adventurer. If that were enough, most of us would be living castaway-style on some tropical island far from the annoyances of modern life. However, we know even when basic needs have been met, people don’t necessarily survive — unless they also get fulfillment of psychological and social needs. We need friends and lovers, meaningful work, freedom to make choices, and ways to express ourselves, or we become sickly.

When these essential elements are not available, our health suffers. If the air is not clean, we develop respiratory ailments and cannot robustly use our bodies. If we are forced to drink dirty water or beverages with harmful chemicals, our cells begin to degrade and will eventually fail. If we continually run around on 3 to 4 hours’ sleep a night, or if our sleep is continually interrupted by sirens or explosions, our thoughts become confused, our judgment impaired, and we will make choices that don’t improve our situation.

We might choose to sacrifice safety for style or status. For instance, skipping the sun protection in Arizona to look fashionable, wearing revealing clothing, choosing a trendy but unsafe neighborhood to live in, or move in with people we hardly know in order to save money. Ironically, we might spend those savings on hyped sneakers that make us a target for a mugging.

And…. if you’re not rested, fueled mainly by junk food, wearing ridiculous clothing in sketchy environments, you’re bound to meet terrible people over and over until they become so familiar you hardly question the fact that everyone here is carrying a weapon or can get drugs in 20 minutes. You will find your friends and lovers in these places and these are the folks that will let you know when a job opens up at the dead-end place they work, so you can work together for the 6 weeks and tolerate it, then quit together and maybe start bartending. Eventually choices become more limited and every day seems the same. Seeking some sort of personal growth or recreation, many will turn to mind-altering substances to facilitate a sense of expansion or relaxation.

Lots of folks may plateau at that level, relatively satisfied with their life, but that type of lifestyle has an expiration date. For each person it might be different, it can become unmanageable with a pregnancy, an arrest or two, large fines, a resume full of broken commitments, or when people 20 years’ younger than you start competing with for your entry-level job, then passing you by while they further educate themselves. You will find yourself trapped, feeling hopeless, and helpless.

If you want freedom, give your body what it needs to succeed, starting with the basic elements of clean air, fresh water, nutritious food, and adequate rest. If you want the freedom to truly live a vibrant life, protect yourself from degradation by using adequate coverage and functional attire, living in secure shelters, and frequenting places where people are mostly trying to be cooperative. Freedom of expression requires your friends, lovers, and those you regularly encounter are the sort of people who encourage you to be yourself and who help you build your strengths.

Finally, freedom to think and make choices requires that you not poison your body with anything that diminishes your ability to function. If you think you might be addicted to any chemical, substance, process, or activity that is clouding your judgement, help is available through 12-Step programs whose goals are to help you be happy, joyous, and free!

 

Having enjoyed 30 years providing mental health services to kids, teens, and parents, Dr. Marlo Archer is now focused on educating, training, and mentoring health professionals, primarily employing Deliberate Practice methods to teach Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy to the next generation of healers. Learn more at http://www.AzPsychodrama.com