I don’t think you can sum up the meaning of freedom in less than a book length, and even that would be a short version. What is freedom to me, might be a prison for you, and vice versa.
Robert Frost once said, “Freedom lies in being bold”, and I agree with him. Being free is to go beyond the own limits you have. Whether they have been imposed on you, or you put them there on your own, but why, why would you stop yourself from being bold, free and happy?
The first time I told a guy I liked him, more than just like a friend, I was dying inside, nervous of how he would take it, we had been friends for over a year and a half and I was ready to just say it, whether I would scare him off, or end up being in a relationship together. He did say no – now it is funny, back then it was kind of sad – but he said to me: “I wish I was as bold as you are, I can’t even talk clearly to girls I like, none the less do what you just did”. Even now, we are best friends.
Being raised by conservative Christian parents has its ups and downs. They are awesome at teaching you the basic principles and values that will set you far in life, on the other hand, the restrictions can get a bit ridiculous when you are surrounded by non-Christian classmates. At some point, I did start questioning myself as to where did my own ground rules start and where the ones of my parents had made an appearance.
Braveheart is by far one of my favourite movies ever. The moment when William Wallace yells: FREEDOM makes a perfect remark of the time when I decided to put everything in perspective and find my own balance amongst my Christian values and what the world was offering me. So, yeah, ok, you are not Christian, you are not even religious in any level, but there is something, in your background that set some unspoken rules for you that you feel you can’t break.
According to some studies, speaking multiple languages gives you different kind of personalities in each. Maybe you speak freely about certain subjects in any language but your native one. It happens to me, I can speak freely about sex or relationship wise stuff when I talk in English, but when it comes to my native language – Spanish – I get all shy and avoid conversation.
I don’t know how many Gilmore Girls fan will read this, but there is an episode where Lorelai questions herself why she likes pop-tarts. (S07E03).
LORELAI: I don’t know if I like pop-tarts.
RORY: Did you fall on your head while you were sleeping?
LORELAI: I don’t know. Do I like this? Is this something I like?
Have you ever questioned yourself about the things you do or like? Have you ever been free enough to just change your mind? To go all the other way around rather than as planned?
Yes, freedom is to go beyond the predetermined boundaries, but freedom is also deciding to stay within them. Freedom means you can stay in bed for the weekend and do nothing but binge watch Netflix or you can just elope on a great short trip anywhere in the world.
I once saw this movie call We bought a zoo, I honestly don’t even remember the plot, but years later I will never forget what the dad – played by the gorgeous Matt Damon – said to one of his kids: “You know, sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage, just literally 20 seconds of embarrassing bravery, and I promise you something great will come of it.”
So, take 20 seconds and change your name to freedom. Go to a new place. Eat something different for lunch today. Don’t eat those pop tarts. Be you, and never let anyone nor anything hold you back to make yourself happy first so then you can love and share happiness towards others. That’s what those 20 seconds are all about.
