However, in another way, wherever you travel in life, you always bring one suitcase with you: yourself! When I used to sit in the library dreaming of "far away lands," I thought that traveling to these places would make me a more interesting person, or maybe happier or more successful. The truth is, every day, even in our own hometowns, we have a choice to live life like it is an adventure, to take chances, to read more about cultures other than our own, to change ourselves and to be the best person we can be. You don't have to go to the Arctic Circle to be aware of global problems or to work hard to solve those problems and change the world. Whatever you do, do your best, and someday, if the opportunity to set sail across the world comes, you will be ready with the best version of yourself to explore, discover and grow.
My research here in Finland and some recent research in the United States has led me to discover new truths about Americans' health and what we consider as our freedoms. The wise will understand that individual freedoms, like individual actions, do not exist in a void. Every freedom and right we exercise is connected to the freedom and rights of others. Tonight, as I sit here snacking on leftover joulutorttu (Finnish Christmas pastry), watching the snowfall against the eternal winter night sky, I would like to leave you with a question: What does freedom mean to you? In Finland, freedom means that you can walk anywhere on anyone's forest or farm - as long as you are respectful and considerate of nature. In Finland, freedom means sometimes being a little patient or having a little less of what you want so that everyone can have what they truly need. In Finland, freedom today is only a means of preserving freedom tomorrow.
