by Barbara A. Black

Created on: October 24, 2008   Last Updated: November 03, 2008

If I were a cynic, I would laugh at the idea that anything in life is free. But I am NOT a cynic! Instead, I am very much an optimist, and I can say, unreservedly, that the truly best things in life are still free. That is not to say that some things that are not the best are not free, because some are. But that really isn't the issue, here.

Life, itself, is free. We don't have to pay to be born, although our parents probably had to pay a lot of money to the doctor and hospital when we were born. But life is free to all-and not just to humans. It is free to animals, birds, reptiles, and even trees, flowers, grass, and other growing things. The lives of all these are free; that is the way nature works.

Love is free. We cannot EARN love, like we earn grades and promotions, etc. Love is freely given, by our families, our friends, and our "significant others"-and even by our pets! So love, one of the most beautiful things we have, is free; if it had to be paid for, it would not truly be love.

The air we breathe is free. True, most of us now use filters and other conveniences to make sure the air we breathe isn't "natural" air, but air, itself, cannot be bought and sold for a profit,by anyone. It is free to everyone! It is around us no matter where we are, and if it all disappeared, we would all quickly die.

The sunshine and rains are free. We cannot command the sun to stop shining, and we cannot make it rain when and where we want it to do so. Both are free, and both are necessary for our continued health and existence on this planet.

Water, which is also necessary to live, is basically free. I know that cities and even towns sell water, but they could not sell it is they didn't have it. And to get it, they either dam a river or dig a well. The water, though, is freely there, for the taking. They cannot manufacture it; it is free, just as the air and life are.

The sun and moon and stars are free. They cannot be duplicated, nor can they be sold. They are part of the universe, and because of them, we have day and night and summer, winter, spring, and fall. Because of them, the earth rotates on its axis, and life is scattered throughout the entire planet.

And the wind is free. Because of the action of the sun, the clouds, the rains, etc., the wind blows or doesn't blow. When it blows on a hot, muggy day, it is welcomed and cools everything off. When it blows on a cold, wintery day, it is not welcomed, and it makes everything feel even colder. But it is needed, and it is free.

Yes, the best things in life are still free. Love, laughter, family, sunshine, wind, and even happiness are all still free. And they will forever remain free, because they cannot be bottled and sold. For that, I am truly thankful!

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