“Charting the Course for Liberty in the New Year”

“Charting the Course for Liberty in the New Year”
By KrisAnne Hall, JD

As we begin this new year, let us light the flame of Liberty in our hearts and face the challenges ahead with courage and determination. These are not ordinary times—they are moments that call for greatness, for standing firm, and for fighting for the liberty that is our birthright. We carry a legacy built on sacrifice and resolve, and it is our duty to protect it with everything we have.
Mercy Otis Warren, one of the most respected founding women of America, reminds us how much strength is needed for such a cause: “I have my fears. Yet, notwithstanding the complicated difficulties that rise before us, there is no receding; and I should blush if in any instance the weak passions of my sex should damp the fortitude, the patriotism, and the manly resolution of yours.” Her bravery shows us that fear must not hold us back from fully committing to protect liberty. What we do now will echo for generations.

Liberty is no ordinary treasure; it is the foundation of everything we hold dear. The founders knew this and stood strong against tyranny even when the odds were against them. “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph,” wrote Thomas Paine. Their sacrifices remind us that the rewards of freedom are worth every effort, and we must face our challenges with the same spirit.

Liberty is not something we simply inherit; it is a responsibility we must act on, as Samuel Adams told us. “The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks,” he said. We must guard liberty as fiercely as a parent protects their child, because without it, everything else falls apart.

Liberty is not a gift to be taken for granted; it is a treasure, gifted to us by the Author of that Liberty and it must be fiercely protected. Benjamin Franklin once said, “I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth — that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without [H]is notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without [H]is aid?” These words remind us that the liberty we cherish is not only a human endeavor but one underpinned by divine providence. Every generation has the responsibility to safeguard this jewel with care and resolve. When liberty is threatened, we cannot stand by. We must face the threat head-on, because once freedom is lost, it is nearly impossible to regain.

Joseph Warren’s words challenge us even today: “Our country is in danger, but not to be despaired of. On you depend the fortunes of America. You are to decide the important question, on which rests the happiness and liberty of millions yet unborn. Act worthy of yourselves.” His message reminds us of the weight of our responsibility and the honor of our cause.

Great challenges make great people, as Abigail Adams wisely said. “These are the times in which a genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed. The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties,” she declared. Her words inspire us to see hard times not as burdens but as chances to grow stronger and more committed.

But we cannot rely on elected officials to save America for us. The founders did not fight for liberty so that we could hand over its defense to others. They showed us how to be the leaders our country needs by standing firm in their beliefs and taking action. Liberty will only survive through our own courage and leadership.

Let us look to the founders, who believed that liberty was worth every hardship. “Let us contemplate our forefathers, and posterity, and resolve to maintain the rights bequeathed to us from the former, for the sake of the latter,” said Samuel Adams. “Instead of sitting down satisfied with small efforts, let us elevate our minds to the dignity of that glorious cause to which we are engaged.”

As we move into this year, let us reject mediocrity and complacency. Let us rise to meet the moment, drawing strength from the sacrifices of those before us and committing to a future of freedom and justice. The fight for liberty is not something of the past; it is a living, breathing mission that demands all our effort. Stand firm. Lead by example. Inspire others to join the cause. Together, we can keep the torch of liberty burning bright for generations to come.