When you look at this old German city, you might find it interesting or beautiful or even romantic, right?  

For people who lived in such a city about 800 years ago, their city was a place of safety, a refuge where they could live, work, trade and also craft what was needed for the people within its walls or outside.  They were proud of their city, oftentimes grateful.

When people who served on the lands of kings and dukes, succeeded in fleeing the feudal lands and entering a free city, they could gain their freedom.  If they made themselves useful to the community and were allowed to live there for one year and one day, they became free city residents and could no longer be claimed by kings or dukes.

Nowadays, in many countries of our world, we take it for granted to be free.  Let’s be grateful for our freedom!

In order to “earn our living”, we still need to make ourselves useful to the community we live in so that we have the money to pay our bills and dues.

I think we human beings are born with the desire to be free. In our times, we see turmoil all around the world where people fight for the right to be free.  Old political systems are going down, new ones arise.  It is important in such times of change, that we keep in mind that people have different values and a different understanding of what it means for them to be free. 

Let’s respect their dignity and wish them well on their journey into greater freedom!

You, too, whether you live in a city, or town or village in a “free” country, can become even freer as you open your heart and think your own thoughts about what is good and beautiful and true.