Freedom
The Dictionary defines freedom as the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous. Most of the times, we think of freedom in terms of politics. Freedom is at the core of our very existence. Our greatest value as humans is our humanity which is realized through our freedom to choose what kind of person we will be. Whether you will be a decent human being or not is purely a matter of choice.
If you pause and ponder, how can two people born of the same parents and raised in the same circumstances be so different?
Freedom!
Everyone chooses to be what they want to be.
I recently learnt that some of the people I call my relatives are actually just acquaintances. The ties that bind us are so fickle that one relative would refer to another as “your relatives.”
So pretentious are we that someone will speak with you, not to engage or bond but simply to pick a story to pass on to other members of the family.
I learnt that a person can be so important that he forgets those he was born with!
That someone can go around letting all and sundry know how they came through for so and so while conveniently forgetting that even they were helped.
Not surprisingly, those that treat others the worst demand to be handled with kid gloves.
Sometimes, people turn up for an event and only a select few will be emotionally attached to whatever will be going on.
Even as you join others, you just may unwittingly be helping them in their quest to play to the gallery.
Milking emotions from watchers is futile because at the end of the day, even they take off. Then?
Human relations are so personal and straightforward. Whether you are related by blood or marriage, you have to be friends first. You must have a relationship.
Like Bob Marley said, “You can’t fool all the people all the time.” The duplicitous nature of some always comes to light in the least expected circumstances.
It is unbelievable that some things that are so basic can be used to arrogate oneself a false superiority, like access to washrooms or even drinking water.
All these and more have helped me develop some sense of consciousness. I know what I do not want to be. If it is learnt, then I will unlearn the undesirable and relearn the desirable.
Finally, a story I heard a long time ago comes to mind.
A gentleman was driving on a road and came upon a mad man who tried to wave at him but he drove past, only to discover a short distance ahead that the bridge was broken!
I choose MINDFUL SANITY and decency and fairness.
By Ethel Nakumicha
