In life the individual is only given one true guarantee, death. It is something we constantly wish to avoid, something we create laws and medicines to deter, and follow religions or readings to ease, but death is a true unknown we can never escape, it is an unopened gift which cannot be returned.
Though we are constantly reminded of our expiration, and quiver in fear of what is inevitable, we seldom as a people enjoy the freedom life offers by merely existing, and the endless possibilities our temporary playground offers. We waste our days building walls, bombs and prisons, defending a fragile existence at the sacrifice of lives of others, in massacres we do not witness, horrors we cannot imagine, and an unnatural battle, seemingly endless which guarantees us safety from an enemy undefined.
Americans constantly argue over the freedom of press, religion, speech or of arms, of wealth and medical treatment, of consumption. The numbers don't lie, people kill each other, guns kill people, cars kill people, wars kill people, police and unhealthy food, defunct cures and the act of procreation itself kills. Neighbors kill and so does the sun, and the water, and harsh winds, unstable bridges and cigarettes, alcohol, heaters, and dogs, and etc. and etc. We are told information is dangerous, that politicians are dangerous, that Muslims and Christians, Jews and spies are dangerous. We are always kept aware of the dangers of homelessness and malnutrition, of cold weather and colder hearts.
If we are not to be blown up by extremism, we will surely starve or be invaded, or oppressed or beheaded, disappeared or questioned, or poisoned by under cooked meats. If the world will not end in 2000 it will in 2012, and if not by then, surely it will end at some point, so prepare, warn those around, and be afraid, because in an end of the world scenario, the world will end.
Freedom is the right of an individual to exist, and experience the shortcomings and small glories life offers, to not just be alive, but to be a part of life, to learn and to witness, to question and explore, to do anything desired in a place nothing is owed, nothing is permanent, and nothing can be truly controlled except for the self by the self.
People tend to chain themselves, to fear freedom, to mock the oddities and curiosities of random events beyond comprehension to those contained. It is truly a bubble, a false bubble of protection, the thought of saving something which will not survive. The only rationale in life is to be irrational, to be random, to follow desires and beliefs, groomed through individual successes and failures, tears and joy, because all of it will some day be gone, because everything we strive so hard to obtain and hold, can never be secured.
Land exists thousands of years beyond it's multiple "rightful owners", homes and property can be seized or destroyed, but the individual follows itself, it will not be claimed and cannot by anyone or anything beside self, and though people and government, laws and social restraints make every attempt possible to keep this power from being understood or self-controlled, each passing moment is a chance for the mind to be free, to explore the world our best scholars and scientists can only pretend to comprehend or explain, and do so from our own perspective. Freedom is not a light word, it is not offered in halves or sections, because if it is restrained, than it is by definition not freedom. We are given the opportunity to be free every day of life, and still it is fleeting.
I understand what freedom is, (existing without external control) and I know both the bad and good things which can spring from freedom, I also see this theme constantly playing-out in life. I see there is both good and bad, there is both life and death, and there are both tears and smiles in life, and I have no doubt both will exist in a free world. I hope to reach the peace of mind that comes with a life unfiltered, where I can experience my existence while I'm breathing, and not cower from it's dangers as a spectator from the outside. Freedom will never be guaranteed or given by government or by other people, it can only be given to the individual from the individual, and while mankind tries it's best to curtail and restrain that God-given power, I see many things out of my control, but I do know one thing, I know what freedom is, and I will aspire to achieve it, even if only for a gasp, before my last breath dissipates.
No comments:
Post a Comment