When you see images and pictures of people imprisoned or living in countries where they do not have choices, do you often think how lucky you are to be free and to enjoy your freedom?
But are we really free? Can we actually say we are free to do as we please always? What is freedom exactly?
I ask these questions as I have been thinking about this lately. I have always been a bit of a thinker. I find myself overanalyzing things at times too. But recently I sat down and thought do we prevent ourselves from doing things because of other people? What they might think of us? What society might say? What our parent's might say? What we have been told can or cannot be done. Or do we restrict ourselves because of something deep within us? Because of our own thoughts and fears?
When I was a young girl I had to behave, listen, do as I was told and be prim and proper. I had to paint an image that I was the good girl and I was. I remember thinking I couldn't wait to grow up and experience life. There was a part of me just waiting to get out. I wanted to live life. All the good, the bad and the ugly of it.
I also remember when I got to that point I went through a bit of a rebellious stage. I wouldn't call it drastic. More so I moved out of home and learnt how to be an adult. I made quite a few mistakes but in the end I have no regrets. I needed to make those mistakes to learn life lessons. I was fearless at the time. Nothing would stop me on my path to enjoying what life was offereing me. I had freed myself of the shackles of what was expected and did absolutely what I wanted. Yes people talked and made up rubbish too, but I didn't care because in my mind I was living life and enjoying it all. Even the bad times gave me lessons. No one was going to dictate how I should live. I was responsible for myself and my actions.
There were people I had met at this time who wouldn't dare do or try things because they were afraid of what people would say. I thought at the time that it was sad they couldn't experience their lives because of that fear. That they could not express themselves. That really in a place where we had more than basic needs to survive, people were restricting themselves on other levels.
So are we really free to be? Free to be ourselves. Do you sit there and think can I breathe? Am I doing what I want? Do I live where I want and am I exactly where I want to be?
Some people may be imprisoned physically, But mentally restricted? I know at one time or another we have all been there or are there. Trapped by fears, thoughts and what is expected of us.
Trapped by not being able to stand up and take that leap of faith. Enjoy the food we want to eat or the places we want to go. Or even say the things we want to say.
I think for some of us being free means having money. For others it's escaping the suffocation of societies expectations or those of our families. For some it's getting rid of negativity and those who create it and for others I think freedom means clean drinking water, fresh food, hygiene and health care systems.
For me Freedom is you being you. Or should I say me being me. Whether you are accepted or not that's one thing, but, you may just find you are appreciated. Admired even. At the end of the day who cares! As long as in your mind you are happy and you are doing the things you enjoy.
As long as you can breathe and you know that you can walk with your head held high.
So are you free? Is there such a thing as pure freedom? That's something only you can answer to yourself.
Yes we are limited by the law obviously. Commonsense will tell us right from wrong. But Freedom is something you give to yourself if your surroundings gives you everything else.
Happy Monday.
