7 Years Ago Today I Walked Out of Federal Prison

7 years ago today, I walked out of federal prison.

I create a dramatic narrative if I say the government took my freedom; even better, they stole it.

Drafting a harrowing tale of conquering the evil oppressor, David vs. Goliath.

People love these stories.

They’re fun. They make us feel good.

I can’t tell that story.

Nothing was stolen from me. I lost my freedom because of the choices I made.

The effects were devastating.

The glaring omission of something I didn’t even know was mine to lose. However, the hole it left behind left no doubt about its existence.

I found a gift within the devastation, one that I fight to never again take for granted.

Freedom is complex; it’s deep and goes beyond being confined to a perimeter.

True freedom is found within, and my choices either contract or expand that freedom.

Every day there are hundreds of choices to be made.

Some big, some small.