Gilad Shalit's release makes me thinks thoughs of freedom

The release of Gilad Shalit, at long last, brings up many things for many people. For me, it brings up thoughts about freedom. While Shalit remained without the basic freedoms we all enjoy, we went on free to:

• do what we chose
• enjoy what we chose
• eat what we chose
• watch what we chose
• go where we chose
• talk to whom we chose
• see what we chose
• spend time with whom we chose

The question is: Did we choose? Or did we choose wisely? Maybe even better, did we choose consciously?

God gave each and every one of us free will, but how do we use that free will? Do we consciously make choices in our lives that allow us to do the things that

1. give us joy
2. bring us love
3. create peace in our lives and in others
4. help us fulfill our potential
5. help us become better people
6. allow us to help others
7.  

And do you make choices that allow you to be a better Jew? Do you make choices that support other Jews or Israel?

I’m sure that while Shalit was without freedom he considered the choices he would make if he could—if he was lucky enough to regain his freedom. Do you consider those choices every day given the fact that you are, indeed, free? Maybe it’s time to start doing so.