Freedom may be our own choice, but we must stand by it. In his talk, David Pithart highlights through subtle discourse the connections between decision‑making, freedom, and the meaning of life in the countryside. David Pithart is an ecologist focused on water in the landscape. He studied hydrobiology and has long been engaged in research both in the Czech Republic and abroad. He now concentrates on practical ecology and nature conservation, advocating for sustainable water management.He lives in a South Bohemian village where his three children grew up. Together with his wife, he founded a family farm where they raise sheep and tend an apple orchard. With his eldest son, he rented a pond, striving to manage it in a way that provides a home for birds as well as other aquatic animals and plants. He tries to balance his professional work with repairing tractors, building fences for sheep, mowing hay, and mucking out stables. He believes that in order to truly change the landscape for the better, one must live and work within it. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx