Misuse of Freedom

"The only way, whereby any one divests himself of his natural liberty, and puts on the bonds of civil society, is by agreeing with other men to join and unite into a community, for their comfortable, safe, and peaceable living one amongst another, in a secure enjoyment of their properties, and a greater security against any, that are not of it."

                       --Locke, Two Treatises of Government

"Civil society" as Lock so names it, in its creation reveals both its greatest achievement and greatest weakness.  Individuals must give up a portion of their freedom for the sake of safety.  In light of recent events it becomes easy to imagine the consequences of giving up our freedoms.  I in now way recommend the abolition of modern society for the sake of individual liberty but I due wish to express the necessity for exercising the freedoms we have retained. 

Perhaps the most difficult exercise for me in the last few months has been to live up to my own expectations.  I have had the privilege of attending university and participating in a transformative educational experience.  Sadly neither my recent academic record nor my motivation for future excellence measure up to the effort put forth by my professors.  Failure at this point in my life feels utter and complete.

Having lost count, I will say that I not only need a second chance, but perhaps a third or fourth.  Locke may not have realized this but "civil society" also secures our right to second chances.  I want that second chance and will not, WILL NOT, waste it.