Price Of Freedom

Try to reconcile the fact humanity has never been more free and prosperous, with the sad reality that today we experience more loneliness and anxiety than ever. In fact, loneliness and feeling disconnected is considered to be the main cause of physical illness and addictions, evidenced by the unprecedented prescription of anti-anxiety drugs.

Erich Fromm of the Frankfurt School of Philosophy posits that "Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom." We pay a big price for having too many choices. 

Until recently we lived in small communities, like an extended family or a small religious town. Even though such a life restricted many of our freedoms, it also provided us with a solid support system, like guardrails which limit our movement on the road, but provide a measure of security, and a clear path.  

But our egos have a way of convincing us that we are somehow self-contained, whole by ourselves, with little need for a community, or for those who might hold opposing views. To some degree, we are all “recovering ego-holics.”

But in life, nature, and society we have laws, lessons, and so many symbols that serve as a remembrance that every coin has two sides, every stick has two ends. Utopia is a place where: opposing forces remain in harmony; potential and kinetic energy work together; male and female forms merge, love and procreate; opposite parties hear, respect and value the other.

The Star of David, this Millennial-old symbol of the need for balance in all things, at all times, represents the receiving feminine energy of Yin in the lower pyramid, and the penetrating masculine energy of Yang in the upside down pyramid. Let us adopt this symbol as a reminder of the need to love, respect and be in balance with “the other,” as reflected in our national motto of e pluribus unum.

Highland City Club strives to create and maintain a Securus Locus allowing us to interact with other members who may hold opposing opinions. Reach out: if you feel financially secure, meet with a member who is living on Social Security checks; If you are a scientist, endeavor to make friends with one of our many artists; if you are a “Goldmanite,” meet one of our crypto gurus. You might find yourself less anxious through the act of  embracing, rather than avoiding, the opposition.

— Sina.